Louis Vuitton presented its Cruise 2023 Women’s collection against the stunning backdrop of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.
The impressive location features remarkable brutalist architecture and sweeping views over the Pacific Ocean. Designed by Estonian-born American architect Louis Kahn, in collaboration with founder Dr Jonas Salk, The Salk Institute is considered one of the most significant architectural sites in the United States. It is an independent non-profit research institute where internationally renowned scientists make life-changing discoveries in the fields of ageing, cancer, neuroscience, immunology, climate change and other areas to benefit global health and wellbeing.
“Having spent a lot of time in California, I was drawn to the idea of showing there again. The Salk Institute has been a place of wonder for me over the years and Louis Kahn’s stunning Brutalist architecture against this extraordinary setting of the Pacific Ocean and the California sunset provides me with endless inspiration. It also celebrates intelligence, knowledge and the belief in the power of science,” Said Nicolas Ghesquière, Artistic Director of Women’s collections at Louis Vuitton ahead of the show on 12th May.
The collection was illuminated by the sun setting in the distance, as warm hues brought life to the iconic location. This was a strategically planned addition to the evening from Ghesquière who saw the sun as a “guest of honour” to this collection. “The heat plays an active part in the evolution of this wardrobe where changes in temperature set a stylistic tempo,” the show notes read. “The unique light of the West Coast creates prisms on clothes full of reflections.”
Materials including linen, silk, jacquard, leather and tweed were lit up by the sun’s rays. Offering the illusion of a metallic palette, shimmering under the light. Exaggerated shapes and silhouettes were brought to life as the light touched them and gave them depth. This collection highlighted the beauty of nature and while the clothes alone, were beautiful, it was the natural elements that brought them to life in a way that was almost magical.
See more of the collection below:
