Find all the details about this incredible collection here.

Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2026 show, set inside the iconic Palais des Papes in Avignon, was more than just a runway event—it was a dramatic celebration of fashion as performance and storytelling. Under Nicolas Ghesquière’s direction, the collection connected centuries of history with modern style, proving that clothes can hold both meaning and emotion.

The setting itself was striking. This 14th-century palace, once home to important papal conclaves, provided a breathtaking backdrop with rows of red velvet-covered wooden chairs and tiered theater seats surrounding the runway. The soundtrack—a mix of haunting choral voices, French horns, galloping horses, and bird songs—immersed the audience in a world that felt both ancient and alive.

Rather than lean on a fixed theme, Ghesquière focused on how clothing performs. The pieces felt right at home in this historic space without seeming like costumes. The collection showcased a blend of softness and strength: flowing ruffles and chiffon mingled with structured leathers and intricate embroideries.

Standout looks included a crisp white cargo jacket paired with a metallic snakeskin mini skirt, and a striking fuchsia leather skirt shaped like a blooming flower frozen in time. Ghesquière’s signature futuristic touches were evident in details like cutout boots and shimmering broken-mirror embellishments.

But the true artistry was in the craftsmanship. Victorian-inspired chain fringe, shearling trims, and Renaissance jacquard fabrics created a rich contrast of textures, echoing a world where fashion once played a powerful role in ceremony and identity.

One dress, striped and heavily embroidered, perfectly captured the collection’s spirit—a blend of warrior toughness and regal elegance that felt both timeless and futuristic. It embodied Ghesquière’s vision of fashion as a force that empowers and transforms.

The show’s closing was unconventional and thought-provoking. Models took their seats among the audience, blurring the line between performer and spectator. When Ghesquière emerged to walk the runway himself, it was a reminder that fashion is a shared experience—an art form that connects creator, wearer, and viewer.

Louis Vuitton Cruise 2026 was more than a showcase of clothes; it was a reminder of fashion’s ability to transcend eras and tell stories. By choosing the Palais des Papes and emphasizing the theatrical nature of clothing, Ghesquière delivered a powerful, emotional statement that will resonate well beyond the runway.