Since taking the reigns as creative director of France’s most storied fashion house Louis Vuitton, Nicolas Ghesquière has approached each of the brand’s cruise collections – so far four, in total – as opportunities to transport show-goers to an entirely new world.
From a colorful collection shown in Monaco in 2014, to architecturally significant sites such as John Launder’s Bob Hope House in Palm Springs, to Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer’s Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum in Rio de Janeiro, and most recently the Miho Museum in southeast Kyoto, Japan, designed by I.M. Pei, each cruise collection has been a physical and visual journey, a absolute treat for the senses. While analyzing each show leaves you in a similar headspace to the never-ending chicken or the egg conundrum – was the show site decided upon first and the clothing and accessories designed second? OR, was the show venue chosen after the collection had begun to take shape? – this is only because season after season the two facets fit so harmoniously together.
Though each cruise show contains highlights of their own, a personal favorite of the four in focus was Ghesquière’s show for cruise 2016, held at the John Lautner-designed Bob Hope House in Palm Springs, California (also mentioned here). In this case, the setting’s iconic architecture played to a much broader design narrative, which intertwined incredibly well with the season’s clothing, shoes and accessories. First, Lautner’s unorthodox use of shapes and materials – the house’s mammoth, rounded roof of poured concrete and curved rectangular panels of glass, for example – were echoed in Ghesquière’s unorthodox design pairings, formal wear worn with desert boots, tailored jackets in shiny neoprene and tiny trunks paired with matching purses. Proportions tended to err on the side of exaggerated, seen in the show’s countless maxi-skirts and super short shorts, while Ghesquière expanded on some newly developed codes of the French house, all while incorporating classic design touches through the use of iconic patterns and materials; a perfect marriage of the past, present and future of design, only to be seen through the creative eyes of Nicolas Ghesquière.
![Lv rst 2016 muse board](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5HMbeCOrD2quSAwQuy8cyy/bb35136350b6497e86a6c99d614b2340/LV_RST_2016_Muse_Board.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
References
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Andrea Branzi for Zabro
Chair, 1986
![Andrea branzi cairn for zabro 1986](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/63KpV5g3Ooy2qGo6EIaqEE/66bfcd264cac7dd1c22adb40c36b67c5/Andrea_Branzi_Cairn__for_Zabro_1986.jpg)
Jeanne Lanvin
Concerto Evening Gown, 1934-35
![Jeanne lanvin concerto evening gown 1934 35](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2gDkHQUMHGCQa42Gccgkk2/39037e9de28d0ce81190367e975f149b/Jeanne_Lanvin_Concerto_Evening_Gown__1934-35.jpg)
Interior image of the Bavinger House by architect Bruce Goff
1955, Norman, Oklahoma
![Interior image of the 1955 bavinger house by architect bruce goff in norman oklahoma](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/Px5I3MEXKgs8ioSuO0cmg/e7afb49e75129b6f809ad24316df960b/interior_image_of_the_1955_Bavinger_House_by_architect_Bruce_Goff_in_Norman__Oklahoma.jpg)
Frank Lloyd Wright
Design for Theatre Curtain, Hillside Theatre, Taliesin Spring Green, Wisconsin,1952
![Frank lloyd wright design for theatre curtain hillside theatre taliesin spring green wisconsin 1952](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4RKLevoZFmieIkAo0eOgau/7e9535ff9c06d9426c7abf7731ef99a0/Frank-Lloyd-Wright-Design-for-Theatre-Curtain-Hillside-Theatre-Taliesin-Spring-Green-Wisconsin-1952.jpg)
Carol Bove
Strawberries Need Rain, 2003
![Carol bove strawberries need rain 2003](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/G4p9KVIzu0Mkeo2cQYIUC/50886a30f0cb0ccd3d60b8277afe33bd/Carol_Bove_Strawberries_Need_Rain__2003.jpg)
Adalberto Libera
Villa Malaparte, 1938, Capri, Italy
![Capri casa malaparte by adalberto libera](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2LAjG9i2HuwGm4YA64YumO/39e11261657456a20d4b548d13e7cb13/Capri__Casa_Malaparte_by_Adalberto_Libera.png)
Paul T. Frankl
Skyscraper Vanity, 1930
![Paul t frankl 1930 skyscraper vanity](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/30oAuJ5SNiqawGwo200Uk2/730d42af47586db5bf934ea81491fe76/Paul_T_Frankl_1930___Skyscraper_Vanity.jpg)
Diane Arbus
Headless Woman, N.Y.C. 1961
Imogen Cunningham
Junk, 1931
![Imogen cunningham junk 1931](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1nAM3FL1esWca6su4wwe8C/85642ccf705e2a68075ca3be59968439/Imogen_Cunningham__Junk__1931.jpg)
Andrea Branzi
Intrecci 1, 2006
![Andrea branzi intrecci 1](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7yVyaFmB20GoaocqequG0i/101dd4bc5e5817ac70c9895759af0186/Andrea_Branzi__Intrecci__1.jpg)
Jean Dunand & Jean Goulden
A Unique Black and Polychrome Lacquered Cabinet, 1921
![Jean dunand jean goulden commode a l anglaise pie ce unique 1921](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/215II0pw2okY0aguucc8k4/ff16a59be0f1dfce53777e3ab75ba0d4/Jean_Dunand___Jean_Goulden__COMMODE_A___L_ANGLAISE__PIE__CE_UNIQUE__1921.jpg)
Jean Dunand
Vase, 1925
![Jean dunand a vase circa 1925 d5644814g](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/FuT0alVNuMgi0YMQMeW2s/6c80cb3d098c9966fc11d9d35cc64cc8/jean_dunand_a_vase_circa_1925_d5644814g.jpg)
Luigi Russolo
The Revolt (La rivolta), 1911
![Luigi russolo 1911 the revolt la rivolta](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/9BmdcAHIs0MsgeCiQmO0G/56620b56a22b5feb08cb693da23f8710/Luigi_Russolo__1911__The_Revolt__La_rivolta__.jpg)
Marcel Duchamp
The Brawl at Austerlitz, 1921
![Marcel duchamp the brawl at austerlitz 1921](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4bLrWTzaQoyswSAcugIoYu/32caa27e6da4e60d9093c0af0539ad3e/Marcel_Duchamp__The_Brawl_at_Austerlitz__1921.jpg)
Maxime Du Camp
Abu Simbel, 1850
![Maxime du camp abu simbel 1850](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1EDN8HoHrOMC42A4QUAum8/84422a752b73535c316c0aac8fc84372/Maxime_Du_Camp__Abu_Simbel__1850.jpg)
Piet Zwart
Cabbage with Hoarfrost, 1930
![Piet zwart cabbage with hoarfrost 1930](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4oHf6H3czKuSS8emAEKiyw/f0600db86c3ec6ef2d66fc2ac5a251a0/Piet_Zwart__Cabbage_with_Hoarfrost__1930.jpg)
Richard Artschwager
Untitled, 1988
![Richard artschwager untitled 1988](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/UXV37Awise8wQsiMsc2yw/6c775d410b7840fb6506d1fc6db34928/Richard_Artschwager_Untitled__1988.jpg)
Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret
Refuge Tonneau, 1938
![Refuge tonneau by charlotte perriand and pierre jeanneret](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2yEFseGvPiOqE8A0GqS4kc/7355d3cf2950c8d6a2f85a7adf981018/Refuge_Tonneau__by_Charlotte_Perriand_and_Pierre_Jeanneret.jpg)
Mario Botta
Seconda Armchair, 1982
![Seconda armchair by mario botta](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4JcPhbylzWkaU0iCyqacYi/4575dd2bbd378ec14d0d7c898444caab/Seconda_Armchair_by_Mario_Botta.jpg)
Sigmar Polke
Alice in Wonderland (Alice in Wunderland), 1972
![Sigmar polke alice in wonderland alice in wunderland 1972](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3JSnY8MF32UMoYM2aycS2A/28d8697a31a36f7b539cba6edcf053ae/Sigmar_Polke__Alice_in_Wonderland__Alice_in_Wunderland__1972.jpg)
Bruce Goff
Struckus House, 1979, Woodland Hills, California
![Struckus house bruce goff woodland hills california 1979](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6WBZorUFFKmy2aqieQ0k4Y/aeca0eb7caaed3686247b81b8f5594ab/Struckus_House__Bruce_Goff__Woodland_Hills__California__1979.png)
References
![Andrea branzi cairn for zabro 1986](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/63KpV5g3Ooy2qGo6EIaqEE/66bfcd264cac7dd1c22adb40c36b67c5/Andrea_Branzi_Cairn__for_Zabro_1986.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Andrea Branzi for Zabro
Chair, 1986
1 of 21
![Jeanne lanvin concerto evening gown 1934 35](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2gDkHQUMHGCQa42Gccgkk2/39037e9de28d0ce81190367e975f149b/Jeanne_Lanvin_Concerto_Evening_Gown__1934-35.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jeanne Lanvin
Concerto Evening Gown, 1934-35
2 of 21
![Interior image of the 1955 bavinger house by architect bruce goff in norman oklahoma](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/Px5I3MEXKgs8ioSuO0cmg/e7afb49e75129b6f809ad24316df960b/interior_image_of_the_1955_Bavinger_House_by_architect_Bruce_Goff_in_Norman__Oklahoma.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Interior image of the Bavinger House by architect Bruce Goff
1955, Norman, Oklahoma
3 of 21
![Frank lloyd wright design for theatre curtain hillside theatre taliesin spring green wisconsin 1952](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4RKLevoZFmieIkAo0eOgau/7e9535ff9c06d9426c7abf7731ef99a0/Frank-Lloyd-Wright-Design-for-Theatre-Curtain-Hillside-Theatre-Taliesin-Spring-Green-Wisconsin-1952.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Frank Lloyd Wright
Design for Theatre Curtain, Hillside Theatre, Taliesin Spring Green, Wisconsin,1952
4 of 21
![Carol bove strawberries need rain 2003](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/G4p9KVIzu0Mkeo2cQYIUC/50886a30f0cb0ccd3d60b8277afe33bd/Carol_Bove_Strawberries_Need_Rain__2003.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Carol Bove
Strawberries Need Rain, 2003
5 of 21
![Capri casa malaparte by adalberto libera](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2LAjG9i2HuwGm4YA64YumO/39e11261657456a20d4b548d13e7cb13/Capri__Casa_Malaparte_by_Adalberto_Libera.png?w=1000&q=70)
Adalberto Libera
Villa Malaparte, 1938, Capri, Italy
6 of 21
![Paul t frankl 1930 skyscraper vanity](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/30oAuJ5SNiqawGwo200Uk2/730d42af47586db5bf934ea81491fe76/Paul_T_Frankl_1930___Skyscraper_Vanity.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Paul T. Frankl
Skyscraper Vanity, 1930
7 of 21
Diane Arbus
Headless Woman, N.Y.C. 1961
8 of 21
![Imogen cunningham junk 1931](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1nAM3FL1esWca6su4wwe8C/85642ccf705e2a68075ca3be59968439/Imogen_Cunningham__Junk__1931.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Imogen Cunningham
Junk, 1931
9 of 21
![Andrea branzi intrecci 1](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7yVyaFmB20GoaocqequG0i/101dd4bc5e5817ac70c9895759af0186/Andrea_Branzi__Intrecci__1.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Andrea Branzi
Intrecci 1, 2006
10 of 21
![Jean dunand jean goulden commode a l anglaise pie ce unique 1921](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/215II0pw2okY0aguucc8k4/ff16a59be0f1dfce53777e3ab75ba0d4/Jean_Dunand___Jean_Goulden__COMMODE_A___L_ANGLAISE__PIE__CE_UNIQUE__1921.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jean Dunand & Jean Goulden
A Unique Black and Polychrome Lacquered Cabinet, 1921
11 of 21
![Jean dunand a vase circa 1925 d5644814g](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/FuT0alVNuMgi0YMQMeW2s/6c80cb3d098c9966fc11d9d35cc64cc8/jean_dunand_a_vase_circa_1925_d5644814g.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jean Dunand
Vase, 1925
12 of 21
![Luigi russolo 1911 the revolt la rivolta](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/9BmdcAHIs0MsgeCiQmO0G/56620b56a22b5feb08cb693da23f8710/Luigi_Russolo__1911__The_Revolt__La_rivolta__.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Luigi Russolo
The Revolt (La rivolta), 1911
13 of 21
![Marcel duchamp the brawl at austerlitz 1921](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4bLrWTzaQoyswSAcugIoYu/32caa27e6da4e60d9093c0af0539ad3e/Marcel_Duchamp__The_Brawl_at_Austerlitz__1921.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Marcel Duchamp
The Brawl at Austerlitz, 1921
14 of 21
![Maxime du camp abu simbel 1850](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1EDN8HoHrOMC42A4QUAum8/84422a752b73535c316c0aac8fc84372/Maxime_Du_Camp__Abu_Simbel__1850.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Maxime Du Camp
Abu Simbel, 1850
15 of 21
![Piet zwart cabbage with hoarfrost 1930](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4oHf6H3czKuSS8emAEKiyw/f0600db86c3ec6ef2d66fc2ac5a251a0/Piet_Zwart__Cabbage_with_Hoarfrost__1930.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Piet Zwart
Cabbage with Hoarfrost, 1930
16 of 21
![Richard artschwager untitled 1988](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/UXV37Awise8wQsiMsc2yw/6c775d410b7840fb6506d1fc6db34928/Richard_Artschwager_Untitled__1988.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Richard Artschwager
Untitled, 1988
17 of 21
![Refuge tonneau by charlotte perriand and pierre jeanneret](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/2yEFseGvPiOqE8A0GqS4kc/7355d3cf2950c8d6a2f85a7adf981018/Refuge_Tonneau__by_Charlotte_Perriand_and_Pierre_Jeanneret.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret
Refuge Tonneau, 1938
18 of 21
![Seconda armchair by mario botta](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4JcPhbylzWkaU0iCyqacYi/4575dd2bbd378ec14d0d7c898444caab/Seconda_Armchair_by_Mario_Botta.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Mario Botta
Seconda Armchair, 1982
19 of 21
![Sigmar polke alice in wonderland alice in wunderland 1972](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3JSnY8MF32UMoYM2aycS2A/28d8697a31a36f7b539cba6edcf053ae/Sigmar_Polke__Alice_in_Wonderland__Alice_in_Wunderland__1972.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Sigmar Polke
Alice in Wonderland (Alice in Wunderland), 1972
20 of 21
![Struckus house bruce goff woodland hills california 1979](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6WBZorUFFKmy2aqieQ0k4Y/aeca0eb7caaed3686247b81b8f5594ab/Struckus_House__Bruce_Goff__Woodland_Hills__California__1979.png?w=1000&q=70)