By June Roberson
Once upon a time, at 4 Rue Neuve-des-Capucines near the Place Vendome, Louis Vuitton opened his first workshop after a 17-year apprenticeship under Monsieur Maréchal. Forming what would later become a household name in ready-to-wear, the trunk-making startup likely never dreamed of the day it would become a global luxury icon. In the present day, a young sleeping beauty awoke in a new era. She finds herself wandering the refurbished summer apartments of Queen Anne of Austria within the Musee de Louvre as an ominous voice spoke enchantments pulled from “This Must Be The Place” by Tanguy Destable. Our sleeping beauty came forth in several different forms. Nicolas Ghesquière, and his Spring/Summer 2026 unveiling for Louis Vuitton, marked yet another key moment for the brand and their transformation from heritage to happening.
Who You Know
Speaking of happening, what better way to flaunt your aptness than housing a front row so star-studded they truly need no introduction. House ambassador, and no stranger to the fairytale scene herself, Emma Stone and a score of her peers arrived as film-making royalty. Shay Mitchell, Zendaya, Ana De Armas, Jennifer Connelly, Chase Infiniti, and Sophie Turner arrived as film-making royalty while other A-listers included Derek Blasberg and Jaden Smith.
More familiar faces, likely gawking just as heavily at the A-listers in the front row, were French actresses Marina Fois and Noémie Merlant and a score of Fashion Influencers and executives from all corners of the world. Philippine based Bryan Boy, American model and comedian Quen Blackwell, and Caro Daur from Germany came forth to show the brands reach from small island countries to neighboring European comrades.
Emma Stone, Zendaya, Lisa, Jaden Smitm arrive at the Louis Vuitton Women's Spring/Summer 2026 show held at the Louvre in Paris (Images courtesy of Louis Vuitton)
1940s Hollywood met 18th century modesty as Ghesquière debuted petticoats, corsetry, and an array of inside-styles that threaten to outdress todays black-tie best. Vintage nightgowns and elevated dressing robes emerged as the collection reminisced of a time when we got all dressed up to go to bed. Opulent neutrals opened the show with a lady-like luster where tailoring remained soft, yet tactfully structured. High-neck triangle collars and their abstract somewhat Edwardian-tails upheld notes of sartorial precision. Billowing silks and ballooned knitwear danced like pillowcases formed as oversized silhouettes or satin bedsheets that became animate. Whether going to sleep or waking from slumber, the looks begged to dress a 21st century catnap. The opening look featured a tailored sheer set whose taupe tapestry told a story of elegance, undulating with each movement and floating gently as she explored each room. Look 6 appeared to dress a supporting role as opposed to our disoriented lead. Relaxed and tailored as a suit made for your most inside affair, joggers and a double-breasted cream blazer found flippant formality through its overstated white collar and matching sleeve cuffs. Silk turbines and sultan-style pants made a brief appearance to decorate almost middle eastern ensembles while the closing looks went from auroras dressing gowns to black ensembles only Maleficent would find endearing.
Although accessories often go overlooked during the live viewings, handbags performed as the stars of the show. Square-shaped purses took form as shrunken versions of the label’s famed stackable flat-topped trunks with vintage gold luggage locks that travelled straight from past. Walking these looks down the runway was a series of eclectically colored close-toed slip ons whose delicacy clearly detested the outdoors.
An array of novel footwear from slip ons to booties walks at the Louis Vuitton Women's Spring/Summer 2026 collection runway show in Paris (Images courtesy of Louis Vuitton)
Although it may not have been true loves kiss that awakened Nicolas Ghesquière’s creativity this season, we can thank the screenwriters of the 21st century for casting him as director of creation for Louis Vuitton for the last 11 years, and surely many more to come. This season, Vuitton dressed the introvert, proving that privacy can be just as provocative as the outgoing. The 17th century hall came forth not just a summer residence, but the home for this sartorial reminder of a time where even ankles were considered risqué and the unassuming carried more impact than the overt. Though Ghesquière does not condemn the uninhibited but allows this period-piece to scratch perhaps a more primordial itch. One where modesty does not mean prudishness, just an alternate form of allure.
