September 3, 2025 |
To the Gare du Nord, one of the busiest train stations in France, a place where a myriad of characters converge and personal dramas unfold. That provided irresistible inspiration for Nicolas Ghesquière’s Louis Vuitton AW25 show. The brand, after all, has its DNA in travel, and boomed with the spread of the railways in the 19th century.
In addition, Louis Vuitton helped to renovate a hidden inner courtyard at the station. This historic, secret corner of Paris, unseen by the public until now, made for a striking fashion-show venue.
Thinking of the characters you see fleetingly on a station concourse – lovers parting, commuters rushing to catch trains, family reunions, holidaymakers excitedly setting off on trips – Ghesquière got to work. Out came rubber macs and leather track pants, picnic-blanket dresses, tiered ra-ra skirts and leather cargo shorts.
The designer asked his team for their favourite films involving trains. What followed were echoes of Brief Encounter, 2046, Murder on the Orient Express and the Harry Potter franchise. All could be seen in the era- hopping looks (does Ghesquière have a Tardis?), which took us from feather-trimmed flapper coats and floral devoré bias-cut gowns to ’70s flower-girl smocks and Victorian jackets rendered in distressed denim.
Trans-Europe Express being played on the soundtrack was not a coincidence. There was also a moment given to Eighties leisurewear and jumpsuits, part of a dedicated Kraftwerk capsule. The models whipped past at an urgent clip – these were women who had somewhere to be. The whole thing had pace, energy and a sense of purpose.
There were bags galore in this travel-themed show, including soft versions of the Speedy and Petite Malle bags, 1950s vanity cases, hat boxes and even a ukulele case with an LV instrument inside. It was an instant collector’s item, as was the delightful street lamp that lit up like a lantern. This collection was full of wit, wonder and humanity. All aboard.
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LOUIS VUITTON: THE JOURNEY
Photographers ANUSCHKA BLOMMERS AND NIELS SCHUMM
Fashion Editor MATTIAS KARLSSON
Text CLAUDIA CROFT
Model WANG FEI at Monster Management
Hair and make-up IRENA RUBEN at House of Orange
Photographers’ assistant MIKA DE CLOE
Fashion assistants GEORGIA EDWARDS and MORITZ HADELT
Casting ALEXANDRA SANDBERG
Clothing, shoes, bags and accessories throughout by LOUIS VUITTON
On the cover WANG wears LOUIS VUITTON
