Louis Vuitton Cruise 2026 showcases regal fashion at historic Palais des Papes

The historic Palais des Papes in Avignon, France witnessed a masterful blend of medieval inspiration and contemporary fashion, thanks to the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2026 showcase. Nicolas Ghesquière, the creative director behind the collection, presented pieces that paid homage to the grandeur of the past while still embracing modern design silhouettes.

Lavish designs peppered with mediaeval motifs, belly-baring cutouts on tiered asymmetrical ball gowns, leather laser-cut peasant dresses, and puffed-up Elizabethan-inspired collars on the outerwear signalled the collection's inspiration from the sword and scepter mediaeval age. “It looks at history, but it’s not historical,” Ghesquière said of the collection during a preview on Thursday. Accessories also made a bold statement, especially the calf-high, open-toed leather booties adorned with silver hardware and grommets, which are poised to be the 'it' shoe of 2026.

The collection masterfully blended strength and elegance, evoking images of warrior queens and courtly icons. With each look, Ghesquière redefined past-era opulence through a contemporary lens—think intricately laser-cut leather peasant dresses and asymmetrical ball gowns featuring bold cutouts. Metallic accents, flowy fringes, sculpted bodices, and exaggerated shoulders further emphasised a regal, battle-ready aesthetic.

The setting itself added to the spectacle. The Palais des Papes is one of the most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With the recent showcase, Louis Vuitton became the first fashion house to stage a runway show at this site. A set of tiered, red velvet theatre seats sat alongside imposing stone walls.

Cate Blanchett, Sophie Turner, Emma Stone, Alicia Vikander, and French First Lady Brigitte Macron were a few amongst the many stars that attended the show, bridging worlds of fashion, cinema, and politics. The audience was seated at the heart of the Cour d’Honneur, intentionally reversing conventional theatrical dynamics and providing a fresh, immersive vantage point of the runway.

The collection narrates a lesson on timelessness, reminding us about the cyclical nature of trends in the fashion industry. Ghesquière drew parallels from the Gilded Age, insinuating the enduring relevance of historical reference points in modern design. Post Ghesquière’s final walk through the macabre chic room, the show closed with a symbolic gesture of the past, present, and future walking hand in hand.

It was a powerful convergence of fashion, history, and celebrity beneath the storied stones that once echoed with catholic authority. The Cruise 2026 collection will be available worldwide starting November 2025 at Louis Vuitton boutiques.