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Fashion's global stage witnessed a fusion of luxury and Indian heritage as Louis Vuitton presented its Spring Summer 2026 menswear collection outside Paris's Centre Pompidou. Creative director Pharrell Williams orchestrated a show that placed Indian craftsmanship at its core, collaborating with Mumbai-based architect Bijoy Jain and Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman.
Williams, who entered his second season as men's creative director, created more than just a fashion presentation; he crafted a cultural dialogue between East and West.
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Bijoy Jain from Studio Mumbai designed the show's centrepiece, a life-sized ‘Snakes & Ladders’ board that served as the runway. The installation combined timber, local marble, and coloured stone, all arranged in Louis Vuitton's signature Damier check pattern. However, Jain's interpretation appeared softer and more weathered than the traditional motif.
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"The floor beneath the models was pieced together using timber, local marble, and coloured stone, all set in a version of LV's Damier check, but softer, weathered, aged with story," the show notes revealed. The marble tiles and wooden inlays created quiet geometry that drew viewers into the experience gradually.
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The architectural elements reflected extensive research conducted by the Louis Vuitton team across New Delhi, Mumbai, and Jodhpur. This journey influenced every detail of the collection, from surface treatments to overall design philosophy.
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The show's soundtrack, titled ‘Yaara Punjabi,’ emerged from a collaboration between Williams and Rahman.
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The collection showcased Louis Vuitton's iconic trunks in museum-style vitrines positioned mid-runway. Some pieces featured crystal studs, while others displayed elephant and palm tree motifs, symbols carrying deep cultural significance across South and Southeast Asia.
References to Wes Anderson's ‘The Darjeeling Limited’ added another layer of cross-cultural storytelling.
Williams' approach centred Indian craftsmanship rather than simply celebrating it. The collaboration with local artisans and designers created a genuine partnership rather than surface-level inspiration.
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The collaboration between Williams, Jain, and Rahman created a template for how global luxury brands can engage respectfully with diverse cultural traditions. The show proved that authentic partnership produces more compelling results than surface-level inspiration.
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