Rounding out a decade at the helm of Louis Vuitton, creative director Nicolas Ghesquière debuted his Women’s Pre-Fall 2024 collection last week in Shanghai—offering a whimsical, loving take on Chinese tradition. This season, the label teamed up with young contemporary artist Sun Yitian to create a collection that celebrates the stylistic vitality of China’s youth while nodding to Louis Vuitton’s deep roots in French fashion heritage. Classic silhouettes are contrasted with lively, saturated bestiary to yield something that feels both new and alive. An evergreen shift dress is emblazoned with a starry-eyed bunny in the shade of fuschia; a long-sleeved pale pink car coat features the cartoonish side profile of a wide-eyed tiger.
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni. Courtesy of the photographer and Louis Vuitton.
Louis Vuitton Experiments with a Diverse Range of Silhouettes
Following Sun’s creature-adorned pieces, the House debuted a series of sweeping, fluttering skirts and dresses that trailed behind their models. Utility vests and baggy shorts were juxtaposed with ultra-feminine ruffled skirts and floral dresses. Looks were accompanied by iconic Louis Vuitton accessories like the Capucines, the Twist, and the Petite Malle; the Slim Trunk, a small, angular bag crafted from supple calfskin, made its official debut, joining the illustrious ranks of the maison’s bags. A trio of bubble dresses closed out the show, with distinctly memorable silhouettes.
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni. Courtesy of the photographer and Louis Vuitton.
A Fashion Show Held in a Vast Art Museum
As part of the collection’s ode to Chinese culture and artisanship, Louis Vuitton chose to host the show at the Long Museum—China’s largest private museum, aptly named for its elongated funnel shape. Notably, the Long Museum holds the country’s richest collection of traditional, modern, and contemporary Chinese art.
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni. Courtesy of the photographer and Louis Vuitton.
This event is set to be the first of many “Louis Vuitton Voyager Shows,” a new term for the label’s pre-fall and cruise collection showcases in buzzy destinations across the world.
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni. Courtesy of the photographer and Louis Vuitton.
