Louis Vuitton Series III

The Louis Vuitton exhibition is running from September 21st to October 18th, 2015 and is located on the Strand.

The exhibition takes you on a 13-room journey through the mind of Louis Vuitton’s creative director Nicolas Ghesquière, and gives the audience an insight into the workings and ideas for the collection.

As you enter the exhibition it begins with the original concept for LV, the logo in a 3D format. This gives an vision as to what is to come, the mix of traditional pieces with a modern twist presented to the audience in a technological format. A journey through the whole creative process; starting at the inception of the original idea, the blank canvas of the LV logo, and finishing with the completed ready-to-wear collection placed in a walk-in wardrobe set design.

- This is the start of the journey. The LV logo projected on a multitude of columns

With the aid of both sound and visual effects we are submerged into Nicolas Ghesquière’s thoughts, the second room presents the audience with a nest-like structure used to symbolise Ghesquière’s permeable mind. The electronic music adding to the aesthetics of the room. We then follow through a futuristic tunnel that symbolises the notion of Gheasquière’s choosing a particular direction as he his hones in on a specific idea for the collection.

- This is the nest structure representing Gheasquière’s mind.

The exhibition allows the audience an insight into every step of the process, taking on the mind-set of the designer, the ‘tailors’, ‘front-rowers’ and finally the customers as each room rewards you with a different experience. Not only are the visuals amazing but the sound effects too, from the carefully selected catwalk music to the sound of the sewing machine on the delicately crafted bags. An extra special touch is the opportunity to see how the bag is made in the flesh and the chance to ask the craftsman questions about the process. The adorable bag is displayed proudly on the table as the craftsman attends to the next one. Each detail is carefully added by the specially trained craftsman.

- Here is the process of the bag being made

At the end the audience is also treated to a history lesson, a range of items from the original collection, modern pieces and futuristic items, an example of the tag line “Past, Present and Future”. This theme is carried out throughout the exhibition and is extremely prevalent in this room, the modern bright white backdrop surrounding a range of iconic bags. Items include traditional trunks and vanity cases as well as newer styles. They encompass the traditional principles of Louis Vuitton such as the epee leather material and logo but with an added modern twist of new colours and shapes.

 - This pink clutch is featured in the white room and is an example of the collaboration of traditional and modern design.

My favourite room being the catwalk room, where guests are invited to sit on the steps as if they were on the front-row themselves, or the opportunity to walk within the screen of models as if they were catwalk queens. This is a chance to see Nicolas Ghesquière’s creations come to life on the models, and the different themes of the collection become apparent. The mix of the classic designs with Ghesquière’s modern take on the brand is captivating. The music pumps loudly, further submerging you into the mind of the brand.

The final room is the walk-in wardrobe, a place for the brand to display their desired items featured throughout the exhibition. Some items are hanging away in the glass cabinet, whilst others are available for the public to examine. We have the chance to touch and feel the fur coat, glittering tops and epee leather bags, all in the comfort of the fluffy carpet and mirrored walls, as if it was our very own wardrobe.

- This is a shot of the wardrobe where it is possible to both see and feel the items

At the end the audience are treated to alphabet and iconic items stickers, leaving you to lust after the products, as well as this a poster is given to you, a little something to take home and remember the exhibition by. Plus the encouragement to update your social media of the event, using the hashtag lvseries3, a clever advertising strategy. The whole exhibition takes around 30 minutes to get through, so if you are walking past, go in, and take a look, and you will leave with the knowledge of the creation process of an iconic brand.

Enjoy! 

By Tertia Wilson (Vice-President)

Photos by Federica Potenza (Photographer/Creative Executive)