Monumental land art cruise from Louis Vuitton

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Jun 15, 2021

La mode inspired by monumental art at Louis Vuitton, where Nicolas Ghesquière’slatest collection for the house was unveiled before a massive work of art by Dani Karavan.

 
Namely Axe Majeur, the elongated promenade being built over the past four decades west of Paris by the site-specific Israeli artist.
 
A utopian walkway that incorporates a massive red walking bridge, railway tracks, white concrete, grass, trees and sunlight, and which was the ideal setting for Vuitton’s 2022 cruise collection.

 
The resulting collection, revealed in eight-minute show video on Tuesday, had bundles of kicky utopian sci-fi optimism. 
 
Ghesquière loves his space-age prints – and these were the best he has ever created for Vuitton.  From dimpled silver jacquard cocoon coats to swirling A-line cocktails with intergalactic art prints.
 
Nicolas mashed up the mood and outfits in each looks - juxtaposing kicking fabrics and techy Chinoiserie; or boudoir-chic and school-marm knits.
 
Plus, there was a squadron of great bags, notably the white and turquoise clutches with contrasting chain straps. And his futuristic riding boots were something – finished with faux armor; regimental stripes; and active sport detailing.

 
Under Ghesquière, Vuitton womenswear has become a demanding look, but when he gets the blend right – as he did in this collection – the result is a truly powerful fashion statement. Memorable, audacious, upbeat and occasionally unforgettable, and staged with gusto on this marvelous work of land art, the skyline of Paris seen in the distance.
 
Architecture and art has rarely inspired a better fashion show video.