Fashion and Luxury in Gaudi´s urban oasis
Picture: Storefront with fashion manikins showed at a luxury store in Passeig de Gràcia shopping avenue
At a side entrance of Park Güell, young fans eagerly awaited celebrities like Zendaya and Pharrell Williams, while locals protested nearby, against private use of a public space. Inside Antoni Gaudí’s gardens, a tranquil, protected oasis awaited guests with champagne and wildflowers.
Navigating the park without the usual tourist crowds felt luxurious. This fusion of culture, exclusivity, and craftsmanship was showcased by Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2025 collection in the Hypostyle Hall. The event marked a significant moment for Barcelona, boosting the fashion sector, which saw substantial growth from 2022 to 2023.
Celebrities and glamour
Guests, dressed in Louis Vuitton, paraded through the modernist garden to a grand cocktail area. Celebrities such as Ana de Armas, Marta Ortega, and Ester Expósito mingled with LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault and Pharrell Williams, celebrating the annual presentation.
The Cruise collection show was an immersive experience, highlighting Louis Vuitton’s technical and luxurious capabilities. These collections, designed for the upper class’s off-season holidays, are highly profitable and closely tied to the presentation venue. In this case, the modernist Park Güell served as the perfect backdrop for creative director Nicolas Ghesquière to express his love for Barcelona, a city he fondly remembers from his youth.
LVMH and Barcelona
Louis Vuitton’s connection with Barcelona dates back to the early 20th century, when Georges Vuitton was inspired by Gaudí’s work. This led to the opening of the brand’s first Spanish store in Barcelona in 1987 and the establishment of six artisan workshops in Catalonia.
As the show commenced, Ghesquière’s designs, featuring unexpected volumes and neutral tones, paid homage to Spanish painters like Joan Miró, Goya, and Zurbarán. The collection included layered designs, mantillas as skirts, and Cordoban hats. A highlight was an asymmetric dress inspired by Gaudí’s trencadís technique and Casa Batlló’s dragon, celebrating Barcelona’s artistic heritage and its lasting influence on fashion.