Style Edit: Louis Vuitton’s latest ‘Travels with’ collection stars Grace Coddington’s cats
The former Vogue creative director reimagines luxury travel with style and irreverence, from playful feline illustrations to foldable trunks
In the world of fashion, almost no one commands the kind of fond admiration that Grace Coddington does. The former creative director of American Vogue is known for her flaming red hair, her whimsical artistry and her spirited appearances at runway shows in Paris and beyond – frequently accompanied by her beloved cats. Over the years, she’s woven feline fascination into her illustrations, embracing her pets as muses and travel companions. Now, that adoration can be found radiating through her collaboration with Louis Vuitton on the maison’s “Travels with” series.
It’s a partnership that traces its roots back to 2019 – the year Catogram made its debut. In that collection, Coddington playfully depicted her felines, Pumpkin and Blanket, in dialogue with Louis Vuitton women’s artistic director Nicolas Ghesquière’s canines, Achille and Léon.
Now, invited by the maison to reflect on the essence of travel, the illustrator joins her furry friends – Blondie, Blanket and Jimi – on a journey across Sydney, London, the Amazon, the Great Wall and even into outer space. That spirit of adventure is also captured in patches reminiscent of the vintage labels that graced Louis Vuitton trunks back when voyaging halfway across the world involved a steamship.
Illustrations are only half the story though. For “Travels with”, Coddington has curated a capsule collection reflecting everything she believes a seasoned traveller needs. Drawing on the artist’s own itinerant lifestyle and her sense of style, the collection prioritises comfort and functionality – all delivered with a dash of irreverence. Midi dresses feature Louis Vuitton’s signature motifs and a whimsical cat-and-mouse design, while pyjama sets are chicer than most business attire.
Footwear is strictly flat, from cosy sandals to easy-going tennis shoes. Blankets and throws, ideal for plane rides or train journeys, are rendered in comforting fabrics like silk, cotton, knits and cashmere. Much like Coddington’s tranquil, cuddly cats, these pieces exude a soft, gentle aesthetic.
This exploration of travel and packing also resonates with Louis Vuitton’s heritage as a house built on the “art of packing”, its founder having begun his career as a boxmaker and packer. An expert in compartmentalising and stylish folding, Coddington has brought her practical knowledge to bear in an exclusive line of thoughtful travel gear.