Nicolas Ghesquière Takes Louis Vuitton Into the Future at Paris Fashion Show

Fashion designer Nicolas Ghesquière put on a stunning show for the luxury brand Louis Vuitton in Paris, France. The show took place at sunset in an open courtyard of the famous Louvre museum. Models walked a runway while 34 flying cars — painted in Louis Vuitton's classic checkered pattern — hovered on tall stilts above them. Ghesquière said he was inspired by rising temperatures around the world and wanted to imagine what people might wear in the cities of the future.

The evening was unusually warm for October, with temperatures reaching 24 degrees Celsius in Paris. Ghesquière said this summer's record heat was a big influence on his designs. 'The world is getting warmer, this definitely had a strong influence,' he explained. He wanted the clothes to feel light and easy to wear, as if they were made for a hotter future.

The clothes on the runway were very different from Ghesquière's usual style. He normally creates bold, structured looks that feel like armor. This time, he chose silky slip dresses, breezy tunics with vents, and thin, flowing layers of a fabric called chiffon. Some models wore beaded silver fringes in their hair that looked like something from a science fiction movie. Ghesquière said he pictured a woman walking through city traffic, sometimes feeling strong and sometimes feeling exposed.

The setting of the show was also meant to send a message about past and future. The futuristic flying cars floated above the runway inside the historic Louvre, one of the world's most visited museums. This was a nod to the famous glass pyramid at the center of the Louvre, designed by architect I.M. Pei, which mixes modern design with classical French buildings. The contrast between old and new gave the show an extra layer of meaning.

Several famous guests attended the show. Actress Zendaya wore a ruffled organza jacket she had worn before on a press tour. British actress Bella Maclean, known for the show Rivals, appeared in sleek black clothing. Ghesquière himself took his bow at the end dressed casually in jeans, keeping things relaxed even as the crowd cheered.

The show was actually Ghesquière's second most important event of the week. Just two days before the runway show, French President Emmanuel Macron awarded him a knighthood at the Élysée Palace — one of France's highest honors. The award recognized Ghesquière's contributions to French creative industries. He has led Louis Vuitton for over ten years, helping to make it one of the most powerful fashion brands in the world.

The knighting ceremony brought together a wide range of guests, showing just how far Louis Vuitton's influence reaches. French film star Catherine Deneuve, British designer Phoebe Philo, and K-pop star Felix from the group Stray Kids were all in attendance. President Macron made a lighthearted joke in his speech about the designer's close friendship with First Lady Brigitte Macron, who often wears custom Ghesquière designs to important events. Pinning a red-ribboned medal to the designer's chest, Macron said: 'This evening … it is the Republic itself that is adding a new element to your wardrobe.'