
Fashion designer Nicolas Ghesquiere presented Louis Vuitton‘s Cruise 2018 Collection on Sunday evening, at the Miho Museum near Kyoto in Japan.
“Louis Vuitton’s Cruise collection for 2018 alternates between the present day and a noble ancestral civilization, between futurism and poetry, between huge, vibrant cities and delicate landscapes. The garments recall samurai, figurative engraving, inked landscapes, ceremonial dress, the keikogi of martial arts, the Kurosawa cinematic dramaturgy, or the unique melancholy of Kitano. Urban pantsuits and architectural tunics are designed in the spirit of Hokusai. Interwoven jersey and leather sweaters recall the armor of Japanese warriors. Evening dresses gleam with Noh theater gold. Delicately crafted obi belts become the fabric of tapered trousers. Handbags and clutches are decorated with Kabuki masks.” – from Louis Vuitton
“Every cruise collection is a discovery and it’s a game of integrating the culture of the country we are visiting with a point of view that is very French and Parisian. I have been coming to Japan for more than 20 years, and as everyone I was always amazed by the contrast between how they conserve the patrimony and the history and celebrate it, and at the same time, how much this country’s looking forward and is technological and modern.
I think there is a certain idea of wearing clothes that come from urbanness, It’s not about the street, it’s about the way women live and women are, and it’s true that most of the time this is reflected stronger in the cities, so it’s a way saying that, I wanted to have a joyful point of view of Japan and Kansai Yamamoto did this incredible costume for Bowie, as we know, and he was the first Japanese designer to show in Paris, so I thought it was really interesting to celebrate that and ask him to design a few things for the show. It’s really my own proper collage mixed with my urban Louis Vuitton silhouette that I have been developing for a few years now. The kabuki, the Noh Theatre, the samurai—all those symbols that we all know from Japan, which are so extraordinary. It was a pleasure to try to integrate them into that wardrobe.” – Nicolas Ghesquière
Hair Stylist: Paul Hanlon
Makeup Artist: Pat McGrath
Stylist: Marie-Amélie Sauvé
Casting Director: Ashley Brokaw
Models: Alex Binaris, Alexandra Micu, Alisha Nesvat, Alison Vanderbilt, Angelica Erthal, Atty Mitchell, Brooke Perry, Camille Hurel, Chloé Nardin, Danielle Lashley, Daphne Simons, Doona Bae, Elise Agee, Eliza Kallmann, Emm Arruda, Emmy Rappe, Estelle Chen, Fernanda Ly, Gabrielle Rul, Hannah Elyse, Harleth Kuusik, Heather Kemesky, Heejung Park, Hoyeon Jung, Janaye Furman, Jing Wen, Jolie Alien, Julia Merkelbach, Julie Hoomans, Kiki Willems, Kirin Dejonckheere, Kristen Coffey, Lais Oliveira, Lauren Case, Lea Holzfuss, Line Brems, Manuela Sanchez, Mariam de Vinzelle, Marte Mei van Haaster, Masha Skokova, Melody Vroom, Mica Arganaraz, Miki Ehara, Rila Fukushima, Sara Dijkink, Sarah Brannon, Sarah Dahl, Selena Forrest, Shelby Hayes, Sora Choi, Teddy Quinlivan, Theresa Hayes, Valery Kaufman