The road from Paris to India may be long, but the sun stays close, keeping you invigorated every step of the way. With travel deeply ingrained in the DNA of Louis Vuitton, the Maison envisions its voyage to India through a game of snakes and ladders—an Indian board game once used as a didactic tool for life and all of its lessons, encompassing virtues, vices, opportunities, and setbacks. As India is set to become a key market for luxury players—where growth is expected to triple in size by 2030 from a current valuation of USD 17 billion, the decision to incorporate Indian artistry for Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 26 becomes a timely one.
In all of Louis Vuitton’s grandeur executed through Pharrell’s vision, ideas were never meant to be overly layered and subtle to feign pseudo-intellectualism. Across Pharrell’s illustrious career, he has consistently played the role of a bona fide tastemaker, creating access to the arts, building resonance with the masses and honouring their sources. At a glance, Spring Summer 26 demonstrates that through its Studio Mumbai-designed set that takes place at the Centre Pompidou, fusing Indian tradition and modernity, as nature and manmade structures are seen across the wooden, hand-painted structures. Heard on the score was also a piece co-produced by legendary composer A. R. Rahman, signalling the Maison’s commitment to showcasing Indian artistry.
A different facet of dandyism is explored in Spring Summer 26, where one dresses in consideration of the weather and disregards the idea of Sunday’s best—your best attire is your travel companion by default. Soft, worn-in tailoring comes in the form of sun-drenched silks, fine wools and cashmere, where jackets and trousers are fluid but far from lacking structure. Bleached by the sun, once black fabrics now appear purple-indigo, while a pale beige serves as a clean slate. Brown denim reminiscent of coffee beans replaces the classic indigo wash, woven rather than dyed for the white thread to reveal itself over time.
Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited (2007) makes a subtle appearance in the collection, as the motif originally created for the movie returns on luggage, shirts, denim and tailoring. A tapestry of wild animals, flora and fauna imbues the semi-tan leather base with an exotic, yet playful flair—a literal manifestation of the Maison’s ethos in spreading the art of travel. Savoir-faire can be observed across the choice of detailing—mountaineering jackets are hand-embroidered with stones, while knits possess a tactile quality, as they are over-embroidered with microbeads.
Softened by time and supple for endless comfort, the leather goods are sumptuous and luxurious to the touch. From aged calfskin and colour-dipped denims to semi-tan vegetable leather, a spirit of ruggedness runs through bags of the season, spanning both the classic Speedy iterations and new silhouettes. Designed for lightness for travel and comfort, the LV Jazz debuts as a symmetrical lace-up and derby loafer, available in a kaleidoscope of finishes.
Some may argue that Louis Vuitton oversimplifies the rich and vivid tapestry of Indian artistry. But in the case of effectively creating conversation and sustaining attention, no one does it better than the Maison that continues to uphold its legacy as purveyors of luxury and travel. To Louis Vuitton, we are all children of the sun.
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