Everything in Louis Vuitton’s S/S25 show spoke of the brand’s unparalleled creativity, from its runway made out of trunks and a collection of mismatched wear.
Louis Vuitton has always been creative and innovative. It is evident in the French fashion house’s continuous growth, from being a trunk maker in the 18th century to the most valuable luxury brand in the world in the past 19 years.
The recent launch of its spring/summer 2025 collection is a continuation of the Maison’s showcase of unparalleled talent. During its Paris Fashion Week show on Oct. 1, Louis Vuitton unveiled a new lineup that gives a masterclass on cool and distinctive European style.
Louis Vuitton’s spring/summer 2025 collection is a personification of the concept of “soft power,” creating art from contrasts, contradictions, and “casual clashes.”
“How to reconcile two antagonists, softness and power?” the brand asked in its show notes. Creative director Nicolas Ghesquière answered in a set of ensembles that clashed textures, prints, and styles but, like all things Louis Vuitton, with a curated approach.
The show, held at Cour Carrée du Louvre, featured a colorful runway that pays homage to the brand’s beginnings. 1,000 LV trunks were slotted together to create a catwalk which, according to The Guardian, is the size of a station platform. It was slowly elevated from the ground, creating a dramatic start for Louis Vuitton’s exhibition.
Models walked the runway in silhouettes that combined Renaissance court fashion with sci-fi and ‘80s-inspired pieces plus many new elements. Louis Vuitton noted that the looks are “spirited by heritage nuances — re-energized with hits of color, casual clashes, and statement geometries.”
The first six looks set the tone for Ghesquière’s 17th-century-Renaissance-meets-22nd-century catalog. They comprised oversized mini dresses that are cinched at the waist and accessorized with loose ties and dangling chains to create a look that’s chic yet intentionally random.
Enhancing the ensembles’ choose-your-own-adventure vibe are the striped biker shorts and capris models wore with round-toe shoes with oversized straps. Bright hues and clashing prints added edge to the looks.
This was followed by a voluminous plain white shirt dress, an ankle-length unstructured coat, patterned sheer co-ords, and a series of mini dresses with mismatched prints. Classics are given a unique twist, as seen on the rock-printed long-sleeve shirt with holes on the shoulders, fabrics distorted and draped to form knee-length dresses, and one-legged tights worn with A-line dresses.
Contrasting fabrics, patterns, and prints gave the ensembles extra layers and dimensions. Ghesquière paired plisse fabrics with sheer chiffon, leather coats and patent jackets. Ruffles and feathers are this season’s main accent and are spread across waist-lines, skirts, and shoes. Jewelry is also key, with most of the looks adorned with layers of beaded necklaces
For Ghesquière, these eccentric looks are all about experimentation. “I want to make a proposition that will touch people,” he told The Guardian. “Not everyone can wear the bags or the shoes or the clothes but they can share the emotion with us. What everyone is looking for in fashion is that freshness: a color combination, a new construction.”
He also considers Louis Vuitton’s spring-summer 2025 lineup as a reflection of how fashion celebrates each person’s individuality. “Fashion used to be something for weird people. Now it’s for everyone,” the designer said. “I believe the reason fashion became so successful is that people recognized their differences and wanted to celebrate them.”
The final five looks — jumpsuits with studded and metallic necklines, ankle-length skirts made out of rhinestone chains, and Cheongsam tops — featured a collaboration with French artist Laurent Grasso. Ghesquière used elements like UFOs and celestial phenomena from Grasso’s “Studies in the Past” to add a touch of sci-fi to the collection.
Like any Louis Vuitton show, the guest list was, of course, an impeccable display of LV friends, including BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Zendaya, Cate Blanchett, Shay Mitchell, and Jaden Smith. Local stars Heart Evangelista and Anne Curtis were likewise present at the show, wearing stunning pieces from the French fashion icon.
Watch the entire Louis Vuitton spring-summer 2025 show here
