Paris: Louis Vuitton invited a star-studded audience to its Fall-Winter 2025 show near the Gare du Nord train station on Monday in Paris, unveiling a collection packed full of its version of travel essentials. The show featured LV-branded luggage and bags, some in the form of musical instruments, thick-soled trainers for walking, hats, capes, and trench coats, all designed to reflect “the house’s spirit of travel.”
According to Lao News Agency, Franco-Belgian chief designer Nicolas Ghesquiere envisioned “the bustling ambience of a Parisian train station,” where fleeting moments are shared among strangers, creating a tapestry of stories. Models paraded among tightly packed rows of guests in a large atrium designed to resemble a rail station waiting hall, with the location kept secret until the last minute to avoid crowds of fans gathering outside.
The event drew A-list attendees, including actors Jennifer Connelly, Ana de Armas, Lea Seydoux, and Emma Stone, as well as French first lady Brigitte Macron. The collection showcased a variety of looks and cuts, with tailored, tighter-fitting silhouettes, incorporating season classics like trench coats and leather jackets, alongside patterns and colors such as red-and-white checkers and Ziggy Stardust-inspired jumpsuits.
Born as a trunk and leather-goods maker, Louis Vuitton has evolved into a global empire, becoming the best-selling brand in the portfolio of labels owned by conglomerate LVMH. Paris Womenswear Fashion Week is set to conclude on Tuesday with blockbuster shows from Chanel and Saint Laurent. The past nine days have seen brands striving to capture consumer attention and boost sales in an increasingly challenging luxury market.
Key trends observed include fur and leather, oversized shoulder pads, and splashes of yellow. Fake fur has dominated catwalks and high streets over the past year, showcased in stoles, long coats, and jacket embellishments. Gabriela Hearst, who presented her collection on Monday, utilized upcycled existing skins, incorporating “repurposed vintage mink” in one of her designs.
Elsewhere, Spanish brand Loewe presented a dual men’s and women’s collection, marking a tribute and farewell to its star designer, Jonathan Anderson. Anderson, who transformed Loewe into one of the most successful labels, may be pursuing new opportunities within the LVMH luxury group. His presentation paid homage to artist couple Josef and Anni Albers, pioneers of modern art, with standout pieces like oversized multicolored wool coats, woven in a patchwork style.
Meanwhile, young French designer Marine Serre showcased a mixed-gender collection inspired by the world of David Lynch, featuring standout looks such as a black leather dress with futuristic shoulders, a sleeveless fur coat, and a black leather corset over a sheer red lace bodysuit.