The TWA Flight Center at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport opened in 1962 at a time when air travel was perceived as being luxurious and full of glamour. Now, almost 20 years after its closure, this iconic hub was the backdrop for Louis Vuitton‘s Cruise 2020 show, which took place earlier this week. Creative director Nicolas Ghesquière was inspired by this forgotten architectural gem, which is now being revived into a hotel. Ghesquière once passed through the hub in the 90’s when it was still a functioning airport terminal. He said it was an experience that he could never forget. Now, as the terminal is being reimagined into a hotel, Ghesquière was inspired and enchanted with the revival. The Cruise 2020 collection encompasses everything that glamorous air travel represented back in the 60s and early 70s. The cruise 2020 collection celebrates the American fascination with international travel and French culture specifically, which is what made New York the perfect city to host this show.
The collection as a whole was clearly inspired by the backdrop in which it was shown, with structured RTW pieces that are reminiscent of stewardess outfits from the heydays of air travel. The bags, and there were many, consisted of iconic shapes as well as new classics like the Dauphine, which was shown in the iconic reverse monogram as well as quite a few novelty versions. The Alma was reimagined for Cruise 2020 as well, featuring a new chain detailing as well as a small leather tag embossed with ‘Louis Vuitton.’ The bags were a bit more playful than we usually see from Ghesquière, with one of the models clutching a bag that appears to be the top of the Chrysler Building, a New York Classic. Check out all of the bags below.
[Photos Courtesy of Louis Vuitton]
when does cruise or pre-order become available?
Usually November for Cruise wear…
Usually in the summer, but it may be earlier. Talk to your SA about which pieces you like.
This collection was phenomenal. The best NG has done for Louis Vuitton.
I can’t believe that I’m saying this, but I totally agree with you! 🙂
100% agree!!
These bags are marvelous. Some of them have an edge to them, but they are still nice to look at. ?
In addition to the bags, I want every pair of gloves shown, too!
Couldn’t agree more!
# 6 is a good bad and then rest is bad bad bad
#6?
6 !!!! 11 !!!!
I know! So gorgeous!
Love the updated Alma!
The bags in slides 3,6,10 and 11 are stunning! I don’t need another bag, but I may have to give in and buy one of these. This blog is creating havoc with my finances. 🙂
Impressed! The bags in photos 6 and 10 are the ones I’d most likely pull my wallet out for. I love the Chrysler building bags, but I suspect there will only be a small number made and they’ll go for a high price — they look like they need a lot of detail work to come off successfully. And I want to see the clothes too!
#6 is the only one that seems wearable to me. Too much of everything going on with the rest.
This is a runway show. This is about fantasy, fashion, extravagance. It’s not about “wearable.”
For wearable things, go to Macy’s.
Hey dummy, these go directly to their website for purchase inevitably, it’s not like they’re one-off exclusive pieces that are hard to come by.
I love you too.
Sorry, not sorry but I don’t like busy bags. You need to relax/calm down.
I neither need to relax nor calm down. You clearly don’t understand what these events are about. That’s your issue. 🙂
You need to calm down.
You need to stay in your lane.
Be nice. 🙂 Also, it’s interesting that #6 is a favorite amongst so many ppl, including me. I immediately gravitated towards it because it is so classic and gorgeous.
#6 is definitely the bag with the widest appeal to the general population. A classic design from 25 years ago, now reimagined in a smaller size, using traditional monogram and vachetta leather. You can’t really go wrong. It’s also likely to be the cheapest of the bunch.
Exactly this! Effortless to carry and very chic.
Same here. There’s something almost vintage about it, but in the best way. My main concern will be bag quality once they start producing it for stores. If the quality is good, this bag could end up being very popular.
I only like #6. Modern retro and can carry it for years to come without any concerns. A new Alma bag seems not practical at all and classic design is far better compare to these. Wish NG will looking into Monogram Ellipse hand bag or bag pack one day soon. These are another beautiful well known LV pieces and would be nice to see them in modern style.
Is there some significance re: using the Chrysler building’s image on the bags?
Why not? It’s fabulous building!
The show was in NYC, hence why he used the building’s image on the bag.
All of them are nice to look at, but I’d love to buy #6.
Omg it’s an updated Beverly bag! Love it.
#6 and #10 are definitely two that I would add to my collection.
Everything is beautiful!
Except for a few pieces like the croc bag #14, I am so over the in your face logo … it seems as though everyone and their brother (or sister lol ) is carrying a logo manic LV bag
Interesting to see the chain strap and embellishments seem to be coming back. Love the black (14) and the pink croc (24) bags and #6 like everyone else. The Alma in #10 looks rich! The last bag with the pictures on it, has to go. That will look so dated in a year
Nope! Except for a couple of the bags that are reminiscent of existing designs, many of these bags look cheap and gaudy. Who is going to buy a $2K bag with big rectangles containing what resemble 3-D lenticular images that you tilt to see them change. And why not just purchase a detachable Chanel leather-entwined chain for your Alma and save the extra cash for something more unique? Disappointed — again.
Does Chanel sell detachable leather-entwined chains? I’ve never seen them for sale.
It was tongue-in-cheek…. LV copying iconic Chanel feature seems a disingenuous design move, IMO.