By Brooke Finnerty
Louis Vuitton transformed the Louvre into a cultural-infused celebration of redefining luxury streetwear.
The buzz around Men’s Paris Fashion Week only amplified after a powerhouse duo kicked off opening night by blurring the lines between clean yet casual, eclectic style.
Male models presented looks across the circular white runway, going from the streets to the office through versatile suits to baseball jerseys and long shorts. While shades of brown evoked comfort and neutrality, captivating baby-pink color palettes further dominated the collection seen in a legion of garments such as tweed trenches, outerwear and accessories.
Directed by Vuitton men’s creative director Pharrell Williams and Nigo, the artistic director of Kigo, the duo’s unique designs blossomed into an evening of innovative collaboration. They achieved a cohesive yet spirited collection that kept the audience in constant anticipation, gripping their phones trying to capture look after look.
Both owners of their own iconic streetwear companies, Nigo presented his Japanese craft through sharp silhouettes and four camo looks – recognizable designs from his personal brand. Simultaneously, Williams’ American streetwear peeped through with his staples of denim and flared pants.
Following the 2017 LV collaboration with the popular skatewear brand Supreme, their menswear leveled up to their successful womenswear collections. Virgil Abloh took the role of creative director in 2018, heightening the brand with cultural signifiers and ideals of personal expression – elements that continuously inspire Williams today.
The artisan duo pushed boundaries on the powerful fashion house’s identity by merging both futuristic and old-school aesthetics. Models draped in glamorous leopard fur and leather sets walked around the runway illuminated with opaque glass boxes containing racks of archival LV pieces. Metallic hues and tinted colors made yet another comeback this season. Previously seen on garments and bags, this time they were presented through both cyber and vibrant sunglasses.
As expected, an array of timeless LV leather monogrammed bags flooded the collection, but the culture giants incorporated eye-catching statement variations. Patchwork design and bold prints maximized through trendy tags and charm accessories. Gold belt buckle chains dangled on pant loops while classy details of gold studs and sequins remained constant yet uplifting.
Winter calls for beanie season and Vuitton delivered warmth with playful textures and flashy multicolored pallett. Tapping into a sunny workday look, models dressed in casual brown vests topped with baseball hats effortlessly pushed colossal Louis Vuitton chests on carts. This replication of Vuittons 2025 spring ready-to-wear collection recycled alluring red shades of their best selling luggage but revealed new transparent floral patterns and shades of pink.
For Williams’ extravagant third show with the 171-year-old house in Paris, guests including the brand owner Bernard Arnault. Beside the head of the French conglomerate sat big-name faces including actors Bradley Cooper and Omar Sy, and hip-hop rappers Future and Travis Scott. Williams not only welcomed cultural figures but remained an insider of the scene himself as a music artist and film producer.
Although predictable given his multitalented expertise, extravagant music and visuals actively engaged the audience throughout the 17-minute production. Ringing out from the orchestra pit in the middle of the circular runway was “One-Winged Angel,” a track from the popular PC game Final Fantasy VII. As eye-catching looks continued appearing down the runway, Seventeen’s ‘Bad Influence’ and The Weeknd featuring Playboi Carti’s ‘Timeless’ blared over the speakers, all originally written and composed by Williams.
The finale showcasing the entirety of the looks left the audience exhilarated as the Louvre filled with applause. The models, like mannequins, stopped and evenly faced outwards, providing a closing still shot. Williams and Nigo stepped onto the runway while the debut of hip-hop star’s Don Toliver & j-hope’s new bumping hip-hop track serenaded their appearance.
The duo’s fall winter collaboration encapsulated an electric evening of culture, streetwear, and innovation while the fashion world now sits impatiently with their wallets open ready for the collection to hit the shelves.
Rating: ★★★★★
The Louis Vuitton Men’s Paris Fashion Week collection was displayed in the Louvre courtyard on Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. (CET)
Watch the full show stream:
View the looks:
https://us.louisvuitton.com/eng-us/magazine/articles/men-fall-winter-2025-show#details
Visit the Paris Fashion Week full schedule:
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