No Manners breaks down the runway highlights and hottest front row appearances at the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2026 show.
They say that fashion is art in all its forms. At the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2026 show on May 22, fashion, architecture and theater merged into a runway set at Palais des Papes in Avignon. For his latest creative venture, artistic director Nicolas Ghesquière explored clothing through its performative aspects—that is, clothing’s emotional power and ability to convey stories.
The Stage
Louis Vuitton found the perfect backdrop for the show in the cour d’honneur of a storied building—Europe’s oldest medieval construction and a UNESCO World Heritage site. What better place to highlight the dramaturgical quality of fashion than the home base of one of the largest performing arts festivals in the world?
The runway subverted the traditional audience and stage dynamics by bringing the spotlight to a catwalk tucked between rows of red velvet banquettes. A first runway segment was placed where the stage is usually built during the famous Festival d’Avignon.
One by one, models walked down the LED-illuminated catwalk, reaching a main stage surrounded by industry professionals and guests. To match the setting, the front row seats resembled papal thrones—a nod to Avignon’s history as the Pope’s residence during the Great Schism.
The Collection
Displaying Ghesquière’s penchant for mixing historical references with modern-day attire and futuristic aesthetics, the collection reinterpreted power dressing through structured pieces, metallic textures, brocades and medieval-infused silhouettes. “[It’s] women’s armour for everyday life,” the designer explained to the press.
Walking to the tune of William Sheller’s “Excalibur,” models paraded a lineup of couture-leaning pieces. Channeling knights, templars and catholic clerics, the 45 looks featured an almost theatrical wardrobe spanning studded capes, ornate dresses, slouchy boots, dangling belts and Louis Vuitton staples opulently updated to match the runway. The Alma bag, for example, was revamped with Medieval motifs and patterns.
There were also subtle nods to medieval figures, religious clothing and glam rock visuals. Meanwhile, textures ranged from glass-stained effects, chain mail and embossed flannel to velvet, leather, knits and jacquard. Richly embellished details such as reflective panels and embroideries completed the lavish display.
The Front Row
As one of the world’s leading luxury labels—and the first to stage a show at Palais des Papes—Louis Vuitton pulled out all the stops for the show. As reported by Le Monde, the brand’s arrival in the city boosted economic activity. Just in the hospitality sector, Louis Vuitton booked about 2,000 hotel rooms to accommodate their production team and VIP guests.
The brand flew industry professionals and celebrities to Avignon, from politicians and cultural figures to key names of its ambassador roster. Like modern-day tradition dictates, attendees were clad in head-to-toe Louis Vuitton ensembles.
On the front row, the stars favored casual takes on tailored elegance and rich textures. Thai ambassador Urassaya Sperbund, for instance, opted for a knitted caped onesie accessorized with the “LV II” timepiece presented for the first time during the brand’s FW25 show in March.
With temperatures rising, other celebs anticipated summer dressing with less covered-up looks and lighter fabrics. Saoirse Ronan sported a classy take on the lingerie slip dress while model and actress Hoyeon Jung wore a peplum top and short combination. The Korean star paired her monochromatic look with the new Louis Vuitton Biker bag and open-toe boots for the ultimate all-white ensemble.
On the other hand, Louis Vuitton’s darling, Felix Lee, joined the select group of celebs properly donning the summer suit in spring. The singer, who traded the catwalk for a front-row seat on this occasion, accessorized his look with white dress shoes and a black clutch. Next to him, Selma director Ava DuVernay went for a black printed dress and this season’s go-to footwear: the slouchy boot.
Actors Emma Stone, Shay Mitchell and Chloë Grace Moretz, Belgian singer Lous and the Yakuza, rapper Jaden Smith and French musician Zaho de Sagazan were also in attendance.
The Verdict
Paying homage to scenic arts and blurring the lines between audience and performers, Ghesquière’s latest collection brought Medieval fantasy to the present. The show exemplified the designer’s ability to reinvent aesthetics and make clothing part of the larger picture. After all, as he explained in the collection notes, clothing can enrich the narratives of our lives.
“Whether it be for a mundane everyday occasion or a special one, as our own experience shows, clothing plays a vital role in supporting us, transforming our mood, our appearance and even our character.”
