Last night, the vibrant Park Güell in Barcelona served as the backdrop for Louis Vuitton's unveiling of their Cruise 2025 collection. This event marked a significant milestone: a decade of Nicolas Ghesquière steering the brand's cruise show through global stages. Despite local protests over the venue's closure for preparations, the show unfolded as planned, underlining the allure and determination of the iconic French maison.
Past locations have been just as striking, with the 2023 show at Isola Bella in Italy’s Lake Maggiore and the 2022 presentation at the Salk Institute in California. Park Güell was Designed by Antoni Gaudí and commissioned by Eusebi Güell in 1900, the park was intended as a residential estate but was later transformed into a public park by 1926. Today, it stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its imaginative mosaics and structures that offer panoramic views of Barcelona.
As for the clothes, naturally, the collection was imbued with deep Spanish influences, drawing inspiration from local art and culture. In a pre-show dialogue, Ghesquière cited Spanish legends such as painters Velázquez, Goya, and Zurbarán; filmmaker Luis Buñuel; and the contemporary film "As Bestas" by Rodrigo Sorogoyen. The designs also nod to the upcoming America's Cup, for which Vuitton is a primary sponsor.Louis Vuitton 2025 Barcelona
Ghesquière articulated a desire to honour the essence of Spain, describing the pieces as rooted in "groundedness and rigour" while also capturing freedom, youth, and a touch of extravagance. The opening looks featured cream and white, accessorised with large straw hats and mirrored sunglasses.
Then came sailor-inspired ensembles characterized by wide collars and bold shoulders, reminiscent of 1980s silhouettes. The narrative progressed to more fluid garments—structured jackets transitioned into flowing silk skirts and trousers, accompanied by equestrian motifs including polished riding boots and jodhpurs with plush faux fur cuffs. Playful yet refined, the collection shied away from the cliché flamenco influences, opting instead for a sophisticated interpretation of polka dots and flounces showcased as draped sheer dresses with pleating details.
In typical fashion for Vuitton's lavish presentations, a roster of glamorous A-listers graced the front row, including the likes of Jennifer Connelly, Emma Laird, Léa Seydoux, Jaden Smith, Eugenia Silva, Saoirse Ronan, and Chloë Grace Moretz to name but a few.
Meanwhile the scenography by James Chinlund complemented the natural curves of Park Güell, while the eclectic soundtrack featuring Gary Numan's "Music for Chameleons" and Malcolm McLaren's "Madame Butterfly" enriched the atmospheric setting.
Ghesquière's Cruise 2025 collection for Louis Vuitton seamlessly married the historical with the contemporary, something that can be said also for what Gaudi did for architectute durung his time. paying homage to Spanish cultural heritage while pushing the boundaries of modern luxury fashion.
