Louis Vuitton presented its Spring-Summer 2026 collection on Tuesday, September 30, in an extraordinary setting at the heart of the Louvre Museum in Paris. Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquière chose to showcase his latest designs in the summer apartments of Anne of Austria, Queen of France from 1615 to 1643, wife of Louis XIII and mother of Louis XIV. The intimate show captured the spirit of travel and elegance in one of the world's most prestigious cultural venues.
The exclusive event drew a star-studded audience, with actress Zendaya commanding attention in a sculptural silver ensemble. She was joined by notable guests including French First Lady Brigitte Macron, K-pop star Lisa, Emma Stone, Ana de Armas, Marina Foïs, Noémie Merlant, and Léa Seydoux. The deliberately small guest list emphasized the luxurious and confidential nature of this exceptional fashion presentation.
Ghesquière selected the meticulously restored apartments designed by architect Louis Le Vau, which had been closed to the public for forty years. These royal chambers underwent comprehensive restoration between 2022 and 2024 to return them to their original 17th-century splendor. The collection, titled "L'Appartement" (The Apartment), served as an allegory of elegance transcending time periods, presenting an intimate journey through a woman's life.
The fashion show unfolded through different rooms of the royal apartment, each evoking specific moments and atmospheres. Models walked through the vestibule, antechamber, small salon, bathroom with its central bathtub, library, winter garden opening onto a balcony, and the ballroom. Each space revealed different women without them ever seeing each other, showcasing their intimacy and freedom through carefully curated looks.
The collection featured silk robes in a revisited boudoir spirit, sleeveless coats in soft pink entirely adorned with colorful gemstones, and tops paired with finely striped pants decorated with flower garlands inspired by summer gardens. Standout pieces included dresses embroidered with flowers and vine leaves worn over jeans, demonstrating the designer's ability to blend luxury with contemporary casual wear. The color palette emphasized soft tones and fluid silhouettes, proving that ultimate luxury lies in dressing for oneself and revealing one's true personality.
The historic venue provided a striking backdrop where three architectural periods intersected seamlessly. The space combined 17th-century ceilings, polychrome marble floors from the Second Empire, and red walls from the 1930s. This architectural layering perfectly complemented the collection's theme of timeless elegance spanning different eras.
A specially recorded soundtrack featured the voice of acclaimed actress Cate Blanchett reciting the lyrics of "This Must Be the Place" by Talking Heads, adding an artistic dimension to the presentation. The choice of Blanchett's distinctive voice enhanced the intimate atmosphere of the show, creating a multisensory experience that elevated the fashion presentation beyond a traditional runway show.
The collection emphasized comfort and personal expression, with designs that celebrated individual style over conformity. The soft fabrics, relaxed silhouettes, and unexpected combinations of formal and casual elements reflected modern women's desires for versatile, personally meaningful fashion choices. This approach aligned with current trends toward authentic self-expression in luxury fashion.
The Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer 2026 collection successfully demonstrated how historical settings can enhance contemporary fashion narratives. By staging the show in Anne of Austria's restored apartments, Ghesquière created a dialogue between past and present, showing how luxury fashion can honor heritage while embracing modern sensibilities and individual freedom of expression.
