From the elegance of Manhattan to the laid-back glamour of the French coast, this season’s resort collections turned destination runways into unforgettable fashion experiences.
Resort season continues to evolve beyond the traditional runway format, with luxury fashion houses transforming their presentations into immersive cultural events. By combining fashion with travel, celebrity, architecture, and art, brands are creating experiences that feel cinematic and deeply connected to place. This year, collections unfolded across some of the world’s most iconic destinations, with New York, Los Angeles, Biarritz, and coastal-inspired settings serving as the backdrop for some of the industry’s most talked-about moments.
Louis Vuitton’s Uptown Meets Downtown Vision
For Cruise 2027, Louis Vuitton brought its latest collection to The Frick Collection on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The historic museum setting created a dramatic contrast with the modern energy of the runway, while the front row featured stars including Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Emma Stone, Cate Blanchett and Chloë Sevigny.
Creative director Nicolas Ghesquière explored New York’s dual identity throughout the collection, balancing uptown sophistication with downtown attitude. Denim became a central focus, reimagined through tailored silhouettes and elevated styling that reflected a refined version of American fashion.
Leather biker jackets and athletic references were paired with structured ‘80s-inspired tailoring and dramatic eveningwear influenced by the grandeur of the Gilded Age. The collection moved effortlessly between polished elegance and rebellious energy, creating a wardrobe that felt both nostalgic and forward-looking.
The show also featured a tribute to legendary artist Keith Haring. Inspired by Haring’s impact on both street culture and fine art, Ghesquière incorporated the artist’s iconic graphics into the collection after discovering that Haring had once customized a vintage Louis Vuitton trunk. The collaboration brought an added layer of individuality and creative freedom to the runway.
Dior’s Hollywood Fantasy
Meanwhile, Dior headed to Los Angeles for its Cruise 2026/2027 presentation at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Under the creative direction of Jonathan Anderson, the maison continued embracing a bold and theatrical new identity.
The show attracted a celebrity-filled audience that included Miley Cyrus, Anya Taylor-Joy, Sabrina Carpenter and Jisoo.
Anderson leaned into maximalism, reworking Dior’s heritage codes through distressed textures, oversized proportions, and dramatic embellishments. Bouclé jackets appeared deconstructed, denim featured chain-linked details, and glitter-covered accessories brought a playful sense of fantasy to nearly every look.
Old Hollywood also played an important role in shaping the collection. Christian Dior famously dressed stars such as Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, and Anderson built on that legacy by presenting fashion as a form of escapism and imagination. Contributions from artist Ed Ruscha added another creative layer to the collection’s visual narrative.
Chanel’s Coastal Escape
At Chanel, the atmosphere shifted toward relaxed sophistication and seaside glamour. Creative director Matthieu Blazy chose Biarritz for his first cruise collection for the house, honoring the location where Gabrielle Chanel first opened a couture salon in 1915.
Inspired by memories of the Basque coastline, Blazy created a collection centered around movement, freedom, and effortless elegance. The runway featured shimmering fish-scale dresses, oversized raffia skirts, striped swimwear-inspired pieces, and relaxed silhouettes designed for modern seaside dressing.
Oversized tote bags and glittering footwear added a playful touch while maintaining Chanel’s signature craftsmanship. Blazy’s youthful and optimistic vision continues to generate excitement around the maison and its evolving identity.
