June 1, 2026 |
The year was 1846. Queen Victoria was on the British throne and the telephone, the lightbulb and even the possibility of powered flight were still firmly set within the realm of imagination. Europe was in the midst of profound social and industrial change, yet on a modest cobbled street in Madrid, a small collective of leather artisans were focused on something far more immediate: the pursuit of exceptional craft. From that humble workshop, Loewe was born – beginning a story that would span almost two centuries, with many more to come, and establish the house as one of luxury fashion’s most enduring names.
Today, as Loewe celebrates its 180th anniversary, the Spanish house occupies a unique position within the industry. Founded long before the advent of modern fashion weeks, celebrity campaigns or even electricity, it is now recognised as the second-oldest luxury fashion house in the world. Yet its longevity has never been rooted in nostalgia. Instead, Loewe’s success lies in its ability to continually reinvent itself while remaining steadfast in its devotion to craftsmanship, material innovation and the handmade.
That balance between preservation and progression sits at the heart of the house’s anniversary celebrations. To mark the occasion, Loewe has unveiled a new campaign photographed by Talia Chetrit, featuring a cast that spans generations, disciplines and continents. Global ambassador Julia Garner appears alongside brand ambassadors Giselle, Kara Wai and Salma Abu Deif, while acclaimed artist Kara Walker and Hollywood mainstay Sissy Spacek bring further depth to a portrait of the house’s far-reaching cultural influence.
The campaign also serves as a celebration of some of Loewe’s most recognisable creations. Featured throughout are iconic bags from different eras of the house’s history, including the Flamenco clutch, first introduced in the 1980s, and the Puzzle bag, which debuted in 2015 and quickly became a defining modern classic. Alongside them is the newly unveiled Amazona 180, a reinterpretation of the beloved Amazona bag originally launched in 1975 and reimagined by creative directors Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez for their debut collection.
Beyond the campaign imagery, Loewe’s anniversary extends into a capsule collection, an animated film narrated by Antonio Banderas and a special publication exploring the house’s remarkable archive. Together, they trace a journey that stretches from nineteenth-century Madrid to the global luxury landscape of today. The message is clear: turning 180 is not simply a milestone for Loewe, but a reflection of a philosophy that has guided the house since its inception. At Loewe, craft is both heritage and future – an enduring foundation for imagination, experimentation and continual reinvention.
Photography by Talia Chetrit.
