Pharrell Williams celebrates India at the Louis Vuitton men’s show

by Léa Zetlaoui.

Louis Vuitton’s runway on the forecourt of Centre Pompidou

After Saint Laurent’s late afternoon show at the Bourse de Commerce, Louis Vuitton took over another Parisian cultural landmark: the Centre Pompidou. Now closed for renovations, the institution inaugurated in 1977 served as the backdrop for the Spring/Summer 2026 menswear show. Once criticized, its iconic industrial architecture is now more majestic than ever, hosting one of the most anticipated events of the Paris Men’s Fashion Week.

Appointed in 2023, Pharrell Williams, creative director of Louis Vuitton men’s collections, has transformed these already eagerly awaited shows into real pop culture happenings. Staying true to the spirit of travel that defines the French malletier founded in 1854, he takes us on a new journey each season. Next summer, the destination is India.

A playful set design by Studio Mumbai

Imagined by Studio Mumbai, the set design of this show evokes the Indian board game “Snakes and Ladders.” On this life-sized board game, guests and models become the players. As a metaphor for life’s journey, the game blends Indian tradition with modernity, while evoking reverence for nature and self-reflection. Two values that align with Pharrell Williams’ philosophy.

Beyoncé on the front row of the Louis Vuitton men’s show

On Tuesday, June 24th, the star of the evening was none other than Beyoncé. After a series of concerts in Paris, the singer took a moment to relax at the Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring/Summer 2026 show. Next to her, her husband Jay-Z, filmmaker Spike Lee, basketball player Victor Wembanyama, and actor Bradley Cooper.

A Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection inspired by the richness of India

For the Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection, Pharrell Williams delivers a vibrant interpretation of the Indian masculine wardrobe. Blending textile heritage with instinctive modernity, the creative director weaves a subtle connection between the house’s signature laid-back elegance and the multifaceted nature of Indian culture today.

Thus, the collection brings to life an entire imaginary world inspired by the contrasts of the subcontinent – urban effervescence and natural spirituality – through cuts, fabrics, and colours. Each silhouette reflects an interconnected world guided by craftsmanship, transmission, and cosmopolitan curiosity.

Colours, fabrics and craftsmanship: India at the heart of the designs

Bathed in light, the collection features tones that appear sun-washed. It features shades of indigo violet, light camel, coffee brown, and dusty pastels. Noble materials like cashmere blended with silk, vicuña, or fine wools, are treated with washed or rough textures in order to evoke the passage of time. These effects pay tribute to the art of dyeing, to hand-crafted gestures, and to imperfect beauty.

The wardrobe unfolds a spontaneous dandyism shaped by nature and the heights of the Himalayas. Soft tailoring, intuitive layering, hand-painted stripes, or chocolate-hued denim embroidered with micro beads create a silhouette that is both fluid, free, and intensely elegant.

As a cinematic nod, the motif created in 2007 for Wes Anderson’s film The Darjeeling Limited makes a cameo in the collection. It appears on striped shirts, cashmere coats, and denim sets, reviving a dreamlike, deeply rooted vision of India as a fantasy.

Louis Vuitton’s accessories: precious details and nomadic spirit

Finally, accessories extend this sensory journey. Louis Vuitton’s iconic bags, such as the Speedy P9, Cruiser Duffle, or Mini Shopper – come in leather with patina, embroidered canvas, or exotic skins. Some are adorned with semi-precious stones and details inspired by the house’s heritage.

Footwear also embraces the aesthetic of true luxury. For instance, these crocodile or suede hiking boots, ostrich loafers or oversized sandals. Each piece seems shaped by the elements, bearing the marks of sun, dust, and stories.

Here, jewelry, bandanas, hats, and belts punctuate the silhouettes with poetry. Like nomadic objects or modern talismans, they embody a form of introspective luxury. They are fragments of a journey. More than being mere accessories, they are markers of memory, transformation, and freedom.