Summary:
- Pharrell Williams presents Louis Vuitton men's SS26 collection inspired by contemporary Indian style at Centre Pompidou
- Collection features sun-faded aesthetics with warm colors including brown denim, purple, and beige tones replacing traditional dark hues
- Accessories include archival pieces from 2007 originally created for Wes Anderson's "The Darjeeling Limited" film
Pharrell Williams unveiled Louis Vuitton's men's Spring/Summer 2026 collection outside the Centre Pompidou, presenting designs that merge his creative direction with contemporary Indian influences. The presentation took place while the museum undergoes renovation work.
Studio Mumbai, an architectural collective, collaborated on the show's staging. They created an oversized reproduction of the traditional Indian board game "Snakes and Ladders" that filled the space beneath the Centre Pompidou.
The collection's color palette centers on warm, sun-bleached tones. Brown denim pieces are designed to fade over time through wear. Purple replaces much of the collection's traditionally dark colors, appearing alongside beige, blue, and yellow tones that suggest prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Williams maintained Louis Vuitton's tailoring foundation while incorporating elements of dandyism interpreted through the Indian aesthetic. Sartorial pieces feature inlaid accessories, while the color selection ranges from light beige to more saturated blues, purples, and yellows.
The leather goods represent a notable aspect of the collection's development. Many trunks and bags display patterns that originated in Louis Vuitton's 2007 archives. During Marc Jacobs' tenure as creative director, the house produced a series of bags and trunks for Wes Anderson's film "The Darjeeling Limited". These pieces featured decorative motifs of small palm trees and animals including giraffes and zebras.
Williams has reintroduced these archival accessories, giving them prominence beyond their original role as film props. The designer's approach positions these pieces as central elements rather than secondary objects.
Materials span silk, wool, and leather, unified by treatments that create an artificially aged appearance. Fabrics appear weathered and faded, as if subjected to extended sun exposure. This aesthetic represents Williams' interpretation of modern Indian life combined with his version of dandified style.
The tactile quality of textiles and their combinations reflects this fusion of influences. Each material treatment contributes to the overall narrative of time, travel, and cultural exchange that defines the collection's concept.
The collaboration with Studio Mumbai extends beyond staging to inform the collection's design philosophy. This partnership represents an approach to cultural reference that engages directly with contemporary Indian creative voices rather than relying solely on external interpretations.
The collection's departure from typical cruise collection timing makes the Indian influence particularly notable for Louis Vuitton. The house typically reserves such geographic references for collections specifically designed for international presentations.
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Kristin Kaye
Insatiably curious about human expression, she immerses herself in literature, theater, art, and dance. Her academic journey led to degrees in Modern Literature, where she delved into The Furioso, and Historical Sciences with a focus on Contemporary History. Her studies took her to the prestigious Erasmus University Rotterdam, broadening her international perspective.
Her passion for culture isn't confined to personal enjoyment—it spills onto the pages of various publications. There, she explores not only artistic endeavors but also civil rights issues and the myriad ways human culture manifests itself. For her, writing about these topics isn't just a profession; it's an irresistible calling that stems from her deep-seated fascination with the human experience.