Style Edit: Louis Vuitton’s first Macau runway showcased its cruise 2026 collection
The collection, by artistic director of women’s collections Nicolas Ghesquière, was shown at The Londoner Hotel after being launched earlier this year in Avignon, France
Macau has always been a hotspot for luxury shopping, but earlier this month its status as a style capital was further elevated when luxury maison Louis Vuitton chose it as the destination for its cruise 2026 show.
The first Louis Vuitton show to be held in the city also presented a fresh departure for the house that has supported the arts since its founding. Envisaging a dramatic clash of eras, the show illustrated everything from the splendour of the Middle Ages to the extravagance of glam rock, in homage to the world of performing arts.
Ghesquière explored the transformative power of clothing: its artistic value, its narrative force and its ability to evoke emotion. Referencing theatrical silhouettes, feminine forms and the house’s leatherworking heritage, each style took its place in a richly imaginative narrative. Louis Vuitton’s modern warriors and princesses came to life in designs featuring romantic ruffles, chiffon, florals and tapestry motifs, contrasted with tough leathers and modern geometric patterns and embroideries.
A sense of ceremony could be felt in looks including Renaissance jacquards accented with shearling and fur, while Victorian-style shirts came covered in fringed chains for a cool and contemporary look.
These otherworldly elements – a Ghesquière signature – were also evident in the architectural lines and metallic flourishes of pieces such as the white cargo jacket and metallic snakeskin mini skirt. The theme continued through to handbags, shoes and accessories, which were transformed into relics of a reimagined past.
Whether worn every day or only on exceptional occasions, the 2026 cruise collection amplifies the character of any woman who wears it – a contemporary homage to a long artistic legacy.