On an unseasonably hot Wednesday afternoon earlier this week, Nicolas Ghesquière returned to New York to present Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2027 collection. Ghesquière, who held his first Vuitton cruise show for the 2019 season, returned this year with a vision of melding the hyper-specific DNA of two cities—Paris and New York.
This idea of comparing and contrasting to create one was further explored by Ghesquière’s interest in the many differences that exist within the city of New York, from its people and places to the dualities that exist uptown, downtown, and everywhere in between.
The show, presented on the Upper East Side at the Frick Collection, opened with a model carrying an archival suitcase reworked with works by American graphic pop artist Keith Haring. Haring, one of the most iconic pop artists of all time, was known for fusing street culture with graphic art, having emerged in the 1980s from the New York subway scene.
The leather suitcase, which serves as a blank canvas, foreshadows the many references to New York’s pop culture scene throughout. Still, the collection felt inherently Ghesquière, with intricate, borderline costume-y pieces giving way to floral frocks and statement leathers.
As for the bags, the collection reveals a further look at Ghesquière’s next big collab, with icons like the Speedy and Alma reimagined with works from Haring’s archive. Other bags paid homage to New York and the collection’s show space, like an architectural top-handle bag in the shape of a pillar, nodding to the Frick Collection’s beautiful interiors.
Elsewhere, a tricked-out Speedy that felt reminiscent of how NYC college students would decorate a bag with patches and pins gave way to a crystallized takeout container and puffed-up versions of the Petite Malle. Still, more commercial LV Monogram bags were sprinkled throughout, along with a new leather bag fitted with a gold frame.
View more from the runway below.
The Bags of Louis Vuitton Cruise 2027
Images courtesy of Louis Vuitton
The bag in that last photo looks like an LV copy of the Etro Vela bag. And the Vela is more attractive.
It’s a classic frame bag shape. Etro didn’t invent it. 🙄
It’s not the shape. It’s the way the bag opens. Until Etro launched the Vela, this type of bag opening was not offered by any premium brands. This LV bag is clearly copying the Vela bag opening.
Nothing inspiring from this collection sadly…..If I were to buy a Keith Haring collaboration piece, I’d consider buying it from UNIQLO or a gallery. Unfortunately, I’m disappointed with this collaboration. I was looking forward to more dynamic pieces like Keepall…. Think LV needs to have a different designer. It’s getting boring….
I thought the exactly the same re: Uniqlo
Keith Haring? Cool artist but it’s giving Uniqlo, it’s giving Coach and LV didnt even elevate Keith Haring’s work in a new or unique way
I love the LP bag! And I also appreciate the nod to Keith Haring and his pivotal role in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We will never forget our fallen brothers and sisters.
I am not a Louis Vuitton follower so not planning to buy anything from them at this time. However, from a purely aesthetic standpoint, I absolutely love the look of the 2D-style bags, especially the little orange Capucines.
It was a very ugly collection. Time for Nicolas to go.
Glad to see the Dora make a comeback! I always enjoyed this shape, which has a truly classic line yet feels practical.
I don’t remember the last time I was interested in NG’s current/recent output. Sadly, because he used to be so good. There are still some accessories that work here or there, but I think, specially in terms of ready-to-wear it’s all gotten so… uninspired, uninspiring and dour. It’s hard to feel anyone’s heart is still in it.
Also, cruise in NY after MB’s MdA show in NY could be a coincidence, but just adds to my impression that a lot of industry players are trying to get something out of Blazy’s Chanel to inject into their brand to try and revive it (Dior in LA lately felt very stark).
Those novelty bags like chinese take out and the vinyl disc have been made by Kate Spade and Charlotte Olympia more than a decade ago!
Not sure what the story here.
Have we run out of ideas? Coach did Keith Haring. OMG who hasn’t done KH? So boring. And the record is neat, but it’s giving Kate Spade vibes with an LV price tag.
Hard pass.