Louis Vuitton’s Fall/Winter 2023 collection, designed by Nicolas Ghesquière, was a celebration of French style and culture. From the clicking of high heels to the sound of car horns and the Bastille Day marching bands, the collection was an ode to the many layers of French style.
Ghesquière was inspired to create the collection after designing a traditional uniform for architect Anne Démians when she was inducted into the historic French Academie des Beaux Arts. He wanted to explore the clash between classic and modern French styles and asked the question “what is French style” to his diverse team of designers from France, Britain, the U.S., and Asia.
The resulting collection showcased classic, wearable tailoring with Ghesquière’s unique imagination. Soft pleated and draped blazers cinched with belts over ballooning pants or short skirts brought to mind the wrapping of the Arc de Triomphe and other French landmarks by artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude. The pearl necklace, another iconic French style, was reinterpreted in a modern way as embroidered abstract lace and pearl dresses.
Leather was also part of the vision, as seen on a trompe l’oeil camel herringbone coat that was actually woven leather and a boxy black and white check jacket and skirt set with black leather patch pockets and stripe accents. The collection also featured a mix of kimono jackets and silk prints, paying homage to the idea of travel and adventure.
The emphasis on bags in the collection was also noticeable, with nearly every look styled with a different bag. The bags ranged from a quilted top handle biscuit-colored style to a chic box designed after the Place Vendôme Louis Vuitton store. Patriotic red, white, and blue bags after a Louis Vuitton flag on the Champs-Élysées store were also included in the mix of accessories.
With Paris hosting the Olympics next year, the collection was a fitting tribute to French national pride and a testament to Louis Vuitton’s commitment to spreading French culture and style across the world.
