Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2026 Show Electrifies Avignon With a Medieval-Meets-Futuristic Collection
May 26, 2025- Louis Vuitton Brings Cruise 2026
A medieval fortress set the stage for Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2026 at the Palais des Papes in Avignon. The Maison staged its runway show in the vast Cour d’honneur. This came just two weeks after a new pope was elected at the Vatican. Nicolas Ghesquière, Louis Vuitton’s Artistic Director of Women’s Collections, presented a collection fusing medieval legend with futuristic flair. Soaring stone walls and Gothic arches created a dramatic backdrop for 450 guests.
The Palais des Papes: A Fortress of History and Power
The limestone fortress served as the papal residence for 67 years in the 14th century. Seven popes lived here after political tensions shifted the papacy from Rome to Avignon. Construction began in 1335 under Pope Benedict XII. Today, the palace stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is celebrated for its medieval architecture, winding stone staircases, and Gothic windows.
For Louis Vuitton, this marked the first show held inside the palace. It was a historic moment for Ghesquière. He has previously chosen iconic locations worldwide—from Palm Springs’ desert to Rio’s Niemeyer-designed museum, and New York’s futuristic TWA terminal.
Star-Studded Guests and a Timeless Soundtrack
Before the show, guests mingled in an adjacent courtyard, sipping champagne and soaking up a soundtrack blending decades and genres. From the 1970s’ soft rock of Gerry Rafferty’s Right Down the Line to Bologna’s electronic disco by Blue Gas, the music mirrored Ghesquière’s seamless fusion of eras.
The star-studded guest list included Emma Stone, Jaden Smith, Chloë Moretz, Cate Blanchett, Pharrell Williams, Saoirse Ronan, Catherine Deneuve, Alicia Vikander, and more.
Guests sat on wooden chairs painted cardinal red, like a conclave. Models appeared as if emerging from a Gothic tower, walking a raised runway before posing in front of twenty rows of empty red cinema seats, mirroring the palace’s history.
A Medieval Futuristic Tale on the Runway
Nicolas Ghesquière opened the show with a nod to knights and legends. Caped sleeves shaped like shields shimmered in hues reminiscent of medieval jousts. The iconic Louis Vuitton monogram appeared in giant sparkling patches of silver and anthracite, topped by sculpted black leather shoulder armor. Boots made from mirrored patchwork and heraldic motifs completed the look, crafting a vision of space-age chevaliers.
Dresses played with flame patterns evoking epic tales like Game of Thrones. Others dazzled with jacquard and fur-trimmed pockets or floated in shimmering chiffon. Hairstyles echoed Jeanne d’Arc’s trial with slicked-back looks almost like shaved heads. The soundtrack built to a crescendo with William Sheller’s Excalibur, slicing through a chilly spring night whipped by the mistral wind.
Inspired by the “captivité babylonienne” — the Babylonian Captivity referring to the seven decades the popes spent in Avignon — Ghesquière’s collection liberated ideas and opened minds. In this conclave of fashion, no one felt confined. Instead, they witnessed one of his most refreshing and inventive shows, reinventing medieval motifs with cutting-edge technology and storytelling.
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