The hypersonic pace at which fashion moves has exacerbated so much that the aesthetics of the beginning and end of a decade are rarely comparable. From the period of 2013 to 2023—one of the most malleable periods in fashion history—one force has remained a constant present throughout; Nicolas Ghesquière.
The artistic director of Louis Vuitton was revealed to have renewed his contract with the Maison, helming the womenswear collection for the centenarian ready-to-wear and leather goods label for another five years.
Over the course of Ghesquière’s tenure, his design lexicon has made Louis Vuitton synonymous with an opulent French flair, futuristic archetypes and sumptuous craftsmanship.
Given Louis Vuitton’s storied origins as a humble trunk maker and pioneer of travel accessories, Ghesquière’s inimitable eye has forged the creation of many era-defining handbags. Namely, the sturdy, yet not astute, boxy Petite Malle bag—his first for Louis Vuitton—and recently the quilted leather GO-14 bag, inspired by his debut collection.
But, it’s Ghesquière’s theatrical panoplies presented at Paris Fashion Week and wanderlust-inducing cruise collections that define him best as a designer. With Ghesquière the second ready-to-wear designer for womenswear at the Maison, the first being Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton’s visual language is one intertwined with Ghesquière’s own.
What this means is that the next period in his incumbency will offer two opportunities. The first will be to remain firm in his current path and master the luxuriantly idiosyncratic style he’s known for. The second would serve as a moment to shake up Louis Vuitton’s codes even further under his artistic acumen. Either course of action will undoubtedly cement his legacy as a designer.
The Damier crystal ball doesn’t predict much about the future. But, it does say the next five years will be some of the most exciting for Louis Vuitton. Plus, with a roster of ambassadors surpassing the rota of any of their competitors, Ghesquière’s continued leadership promises to see his designs worn by some of the biggest style talents, including Zendaya, Emma Stone, Léa Seydoux and Sophie Turner.
Speaking on the contract renewal, Ghesquière himself remarked, “It is a true honour to continue writing the story of Louis Vuitton.”
“We began the first chapter ten years ago, defining a new identity based on extraordinary heritage and a constant focus on innovation,” he added. “In particular, I have had the privilege to harness the talent and expertise of the Maison and its teams to develop new codes. I am forever grateful for the trust and support of Bernard Arnault and Pietro Beccari on this incredible journey.”
Pietro Beccari, Louis Vuitton’s chairman and CEO, also noted his immense pride in his continued collaboration with Ghesquière at the maison. A designer he described as “a true creative genius”.
“His redefinition of the Women’s Universe at Louis Vuitton, including a sharp new ready-to-wear silhouette, iconic models of leather goods and shoes, and numerous astounding destination shows, has contributed in no uncertain terms to the Maison’s success over the past decade. I am very much looking forward to continuing to pave the future of Louis Vuitton together,” he continued.
Though we’re sure Bernard Arnault is also thrilled that he doesn’t have to search for Ghesquière’s successor, we are equally looking forward to watching the next era of Louis Vuitton unfold. (Slowly, of course, so we can savour every moment).
