It is evident through the methodically selected locations of Louis Vuitton’s far off cruise shows that creative director Nicolas Ghesquière fancies himself not only a designer, but somewhat of an architecture connoisseur. From Bob Hope’s John Lautner-designed home in Palm Springs to Oscar Niemeyer’s Niterói Contemporary Art Museum in Rio, and the Foundation Maeght in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, the destination of Vuitton’s forthcoming cruise show on May 28th, Ghesquière’s highly intentional location selects are indicative each season of the collection’s focus.
In the case of resort 2018, the designer opted for I. M. Pei’s Miho Museum, perched atop a forested landscape just south of Kyoto, Japan. While Ghesquière has been traveling to the Far East for decades, and often pays homage to elements of Japanese culture within his designs, the synergy this particular season between the show’s setting and the collection’s garments was layered with purpose and meaning.
While conspicuous cultural references were present in the model’s Kabuki-inspired makeup and the garments and accessories designed in collaboration with Japanese fashion deity Kansai Yamamoto, the most alluring looks were those with captivating contrasts that mimicked elements of the show’s surroundings. Just as Pei utilized rigid materials and geometric lines to render a serene oasis enveloped by nature, Ghesquière combined striking patterns, luscious textures and commanding silhouettes to create garments of unexpected ease. A standout collection by the French designer, filled with reverence and energy.
![Lv rst 2018 muse board](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/g0RGfiSeZM8k0C280AoQ0/6b10f7e791dbb6217b1ff5b97aea793f/LV_RST_2018_Muse_Board.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
References
- 1
- 2
Jack Mendenhall
Ochre Couch, 1975
![Jack mendenhall ochre couch oil on canvas 1975](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6Vijac4GIMU6CgAiW8KkIA/4a8e89fa0563abb0d3b481831c5e185a/Jack_Mendenhall___Ochre_Couch___Oil_On_Canvas__1975.jpg)
I. M. Pei
Suzhou Museum, 2006
![Suzhou museum i. m. pei 2006 suzho china](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1vnqY0DSaAykEmGGkOaAs6/8600f7a3383f5be1cc7948422dec6855/Suzhou_museum__I._M._Pei__2006__Suzho_China.jpg)
Kansai Yamamoto
Vogue UK, October 1971
![Kansai1](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/47TILJ6dsckeSEygUCe0qg/3ac100a3c8266edef363ca7de5a5c584/kansai1.jpg)
Lucien Smith
Untitled (Camo Brown Magma), 2015
![Lucien smith. l untitled camo brown magma](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3eJaaHixwcy424eKGe62yS/7c6f7f47d0b210b3f389c8a3fb144e35/Lucien_Smith.__L__Untitled__Camo_Brown_Magma_.jpg)
Thea Cadabra
Dragon Heels, 1984
![Dragon heels by british shoe designer thea cadabra in 1984](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/19OLAmyGEmWW8iW0yoaI2C/33b0d56f68b190b61f47edd33625a53d/Dragon_Heels_by_British_shoe_designer_Thea_Cadabra_in_1984.jpg)
Hasui Kawase
Autumn at Saruiwa, Shiobara, 1949
![Kawase hasui 1883 1957 japan traditional japanese woodblack printjpg](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1ZeAxzWl5GCesKmoeS6mw6/7a66e99b602cd0e3b5b2c51dd0de0eda/KAWASE_Hasui__1883-1957___Japan_Traditional_Japanese_woodblack_printjpg.jpg)
Carlo Bugatti
Large Extension Table, 1900
![A large extension table carlo bugatti italy c. 1900](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6nqVZOD85OgCUoY2KGAUEg/da0a9d23668c3952fde19a2ecae758ff/A_large_extension_table__Carlo_Bugatti__Italy_c._1900.jpg)
Dominique
Art Deco Gueridon Table, 1925
![Art deco gueridon table ca 1925 attributed to dominique](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4mmnKxIVTOMQYkAEk6uuE4/83d57960869c51ea8b9b47eeccf0bf67/Art_Deco_gueridon_table__ca_1925__attributed_to_Dominique.jpg)
Emanuel Ungaro
Dress and Shorts, 1968
![Dress and shorts emanuel ungaro 1968](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5y7PuSAuQwKsoYA8qCY4uq/bc6da2c029e7ed9f15936a3c158b7914/Dress_and_shorts__Emanuel_Ungaro__1968.jpg)
François Catroux
Paris Apartment
![Fran ois catroux s paris apartment](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/15vkB7lZScSSy2oIMGmYoY/8818c6d54be09ed88ea53a6742fec0ec/Fran__ois_Catroux_s_Paris_Apartment.jpg)
Infestation
Samurai
![Infestation an homage of the nintendo game metroid.](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1LmVcZZnqgYcc8UUcOYW2Q/f9a90cfbc1d31c4557148ebf9faa99dc/Infestation__an_homage_of_the_Nintendo_game_Metroid..jpg)
Jean Dunand
'Forêt' Screen, 1930
![Jean dunand and fran ois louis schmied paravent for t 1930](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6DjuQvoOBOUoaEyYaYSgOY/bfde2fba479dd208a673ab0ea6c615f6/Jean_Dunand_and_Fran__ois-Louis_Schmied_Paravent__For__t___1930.jpg)
Lucien Smith
Hobbes, The Rain Man, and My Friend Barney Under the Sycamore Tree, 2011
![Lucien smith hobbes the rain man and my friend barney under the sycamore tree 2011](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7IrnukppkWykciO6CGkAqq/be7e3d811b9c25f693fd959f6387dd92/Lucien_Smith__Hobbes__The_Rain_Man__and_My_Friend_Barney___Under_the_Sycamore_Tree__2011.jpg)
John Kacere
Painting
![Painting by john kacere](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1sLXzbs3JKsscW8mWKOMCk/ba4dd7cac987ebc336c001de236f70f2/Painting_by_John_Kacere.jpg)
Rare Console Table
Saxony, 1825
![Rare empire center or console table saxony 1825](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/Paob6cDnIOAM6KKKakMk0/07a37805e9ae37963149bf45a3c8c209/Rare_Empire_Center_or_Console_Table__SAxony__1825.jpg)
Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter
1970
![Stray cat rock](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/37dRRFu1w48wOyAIQCg8yc/ba4a9ca72cf55b1a1f8732a2901b3bea/Stray_Cat_Rock_.jpg)
Valerie Leon wearing a Biba Suit
1960s/70s
![Valerie leon in a biba suit 1960s 70s](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3BnWl7nOrKEsSO6W0uEMOq/c0823163262ff92724c588bb52df3f0a/Valerie_Leon_in_a_Biba_Suit__1960s_70s.jpg)
Yves Saint Laurent
Fall/Winter 1992
![Yves saint laurent 1992](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/65nXylMH4Ia6ukIW8QEk8c/ee9c916bcbf6b21206a769c7cbfb3862/Yves_Saint_Laurent_1992.jpg)
References
![Jack mendenhall ochre couch oil on canvas 1975](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6Vijac4GIMU6CgAiW8KkIA/4a8e89fa0563abb0d3b481831c5e185a/Jack_Mendenhall___Ochre_Couch___Oil_On_Canvas__1975.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jack Mendenhall
Ochre Couch, 1975
1 of 20
![Suzhou museum i. m. pei 2006 suzho china](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1vnqY0DSaAykEmGGkOaAs6/8600f7a3383f5be1cc7948422dec6855/Suzhou_museum__I._M._Pei__2006__Suzho_China.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
I. M. Pei
Suzhou Museum, 2006
2 of 20
![Kansai1](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/47TILJ6dsckeSEygUCe0qg/3ac100a3c8266edef363ca7de5a5c584/kansai1.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Kansai Yamamoto
Vogue UK, October 1971
3 of 20
![Lucien smith. l untitled camo brown magma](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3eJaaHixwcy424eKGe62yS/7c6f7f47d0b210b3f389c8a3fb144e35/Lucien_Smith.__L__Untitled__Camo_Brown_Magma_.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Lucien Smith
Untitled (Camo Brown Magma), 2015
5 of 20
![Dragon heels by british shoe designer thea cadabra in 1984](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/19OLAmyGEmWW8iW0yoaI2C/33b0d56f68b190b61f47edd33625a53d/Dragon_Heels_by_British_shoe_designer_Thea_Cadabra_in_1984.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Thea Cadabra
Dragon Heels, 1984
6 of 20
![Kawase hasui 1883 1957 japan traditional japanese woodblack printjpg](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1ZeAxzWl5GCesKmoeS6mw6/7a66e99b602cd0e3b5b2c51dd0de0eda/KAWASE_Hasui__1883-1957___Japan_Traditional_Japanese_woodblack_printjpg.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Hasui Kawase
Autumn at Saruiwa, Shiobara, 1949
7 of 20
![A large extension table carlo bugatti italy c. 1900](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6nqVZOD85OgCUoY2KGAUEg/da0a9d23668c3952fde19a2ecae758ff/A_large_extension_table__Carlo_Bugatti__Italy_c._1900.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Carlo Bugatti
Large Extension Table, 1900
9 of 20
![Art deco gueridon table ca 1925 attributed to dominique](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/4mmnKxIVTOMQYkAEk6uuE4/83d57960869c51ea8b9b47eeccf0bf67/Art_Deco_gueridon_table__ca_1925__attributed_to_Dominique.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Dominique
Art Deco Gueridon Table, 1925
10 of 20
![Dress and shorts emanuel ungaro 1968](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/5y7PuSAuQwKsoYA8qCY4uq/bc6da2c029e7ed9f15936a3c158b7914/Dress_and_shorts__Emanuel_Ungaro__1968.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Emanuel Ungaro
Dress and Shorts, 1968
11 of 20
![Fran ois catroux s paris apartment](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/15vkB7lZScSSy2oIMGmYoY/8818c6d54be09ed88ea53a6742fec0ec/Fran__ois_Catroux_s_Paris_Apartment.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
François Catroux
Paris Apartment
12 of 20
![Infestation an homage of the nintendo game metroid.](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1LmVcZZnqgYcc8UUcOYW2Q/f9a90cfbc1d31c4557148ebf9faa99dc/Infestation__an_homage_of_the_Nintendo_game_Metroid..jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Infestation
Samurai
13 of 20
![Jean dunand and fran ois louis schmied paravent for t 1930](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/6DjuQvoOBOUoaEyYaYSgOY/bfde2fba479dd208a673ab0ea6c615f6/Jean_Dunand_and_Fran__ois-Louis_Schmied_Paravent__For__t___1930.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Jean Dunand
'Forêt' Screen, 1930
14 of 20
![Lucien smith hobbes the rain man and my friend barney under the sycamore tree 2011](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/7IrnukppkWykciO6CGkAqq/be7e3d811b9c25f693fd959f6387dd92/Lucien_Smith__Hobbes__The_Rain_Man__and_My_Friend_Barney___Under_the_Sycamore_Tree__2011.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Lucien Smith
Hobbes, The Rain Man, and My Friend Barney Under the Sycamore Tree, 2011
15 of 20
![Painting by john kacere](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/1sLXzbs3JKsscW8mWKOMCk/ba4dd7cac987ebc336c001de236f70f2/Painting_by_John_Kacere.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
John Kacere
Painting
16 of 20
![Rare empire center or console table saxony 1825](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/Paob6cDnIOAM6KKKakMk0/07a37805e9ae37963149bf45a3c8c209/Rare_Empire_Center_or_Console_Table__SAxony__1825.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Rare Console Table
Saxony, 1825
17 of 20
![Stray cat rock](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/37dRRFu1w48wOyAIQCg8yc/ba4a9ca72cf55b1a1f8732a2901b3bea/Stray_Cat_Rock_.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter
1970
18 of 20
![Valerie leon in a biba suit 1960s 70s](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/3BnWl7nOrKEsSO6W0uEMOq/c0823163262ff92724c588bb52df3f0a/Valerie_Leon_in_a_Biba_Suit__1960s_70s.jpg?w=1000&q=70)
Valerie Leon wearing a Biba Suit
1960s/70s
19 of 20
![Yves saint laurent 1992](http://images.ctfassets.net/nonm77rtn1g8/65nXylMH4Ia6ukIW8QEk8c/ee9c916bcbf6b21206a769c7cbfb3862/Yves_Saint_Laurent_1992.jpg?w=1000&q=70)