Louis Vuitton’s Latest Collection Feels Like a Love Letter to India

At the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2026 menswear show in Paris, India wasn’t just an inspiration, it was the heartbeat of the runway. Pharrell Williams, the brand’s Men’s Creative Director, created a collection that blended Indian tradition with Louis Vuitton in a way that felt fresh, playful, and deeply intentional. Drawing from his travels to India earlier this year, where he visited cities like Delhi, Jaipur, and Mumbai, the designer built a show that had silhouettes, fabrics, and even the soundtrack echoed the energy and details of those places.

In the front row of the show, global celebrities including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Zendaya, and Rihanna were joined by K-pop stars such as BTS’s J-Hope, GOT7’s BamBam and Jackson Wang, and NCT’s Yuta.

Louis Vuitton Men's Spring 2026 Showcase Highlights

The runway looked like a giant board game

The set for the show was designed by Indian architect Bijoy Jain. He transformed the courtyard of the Centre Pompidou into a giant version of Snakes and Ladders, the board game many people grew up playing in India. Jain used natural materials like stone, wood, and lime to build the space, giving it a calm, grounded feel. The board was painted in soft, earthy colours, with five large snakes and simple ladders running across it. 

Music by A.R. Rahman to set the tone

The show opened with an original Punjabi track titled Yaara, co-created by Pharrell Williams and Indian composer A.R. Rahman. The track combined Punjabi folk elements with modern electronic and gospel influences, setting a rhythmic and culturally rooted tone for the runway. Rather than serving as background music, the song functioned as a central part of the show’s atmosphere, reinforcing the collection’s India-inspired theme. 

LV trunks got a traditional makeover

A standout element in the collection was the reinterpretation of Louis Vuitton’s signature trunks. Traditionally known for their structured shapes and monogrammed canvas, the trunks in this show featured embroidered motifs drawn from Indian visual culture. Some were adorned with palm trees, elephants, and floral patterns that echoed miniature paintings and folk art traditions. Some also featured crystal embellishments and metalwork, suggesting a visual connection to sanduks, the wooden storage chests used in Indian homes

Clothes inspired by Indian style and colour

The clothing reflected these influences in subtle but visible ways. The silhouettes remained relaxed and wearable pleated trousers, cricket-inspired knits, long coats, silk cargo pants, and soft leather jackets. The colour palette included turmeric yellow, terracotta, ivory, and palm green tones. Some garments featured embroidery and beadwork that showed traditional Indian techniques.