Have you ever truly experienced a Nicolas Ghesquière show?' asks fashion commentator Tuba Avalon. Now, thanks to a special new documentary, Runway Reflections: Tales from Avignon, you don't have to be a fashion editor to be able to answer yes to that question.
The 16-minute documentary narrated by Avalon takes viewers inside the making of Louis Vuitton's magical Cruise 2026 show in Avignon, France. Filmed in the days leading up to the show, it gives a rare insight into the inner workings of Ghesquière’s artistry and what it takes to organise a standout destination fashion show.
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Ghesquière’s Cruise 2026 show was a fashion moment for the ages, set against the grandeur of Palais des Papes, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in 1335. The designer chose the venue not just for its breathtaking architecture, but for a deeply personal reason—his own encounter with the space during the 2000 'La Beauté in Fabula' art exhibition, where American video artist Bill Viola's installation left a long-lasting mark on him. It was, "an aesthetic shock… like collisions of time," Ghesquière recalls. It was a vision that he wanted to echo for his own show.
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Ghesquière embraces the theatricality of fashion, believing clothing "project an image of charisma, accentuating a style, and character," not just on the runway, but in life, he says. The film also explores his take on 'fashion time travel' as he reinterprets Arthurian mythologies, liturgical embroidery and glam rock at its best.
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The film takes us backstage for last-minute fittings and hair and makeup, and introduces us to the talents such as set designers, photographers and other artisans. It also features friends of the brand like K-pop fan favourite Felix and French film director Justine Triet.
Far more than a behind-the-scenes glance, Runway Reflections: Tales From Avignon provides immersive and detailed storytelling, giving an insight into what really goes into making a Louis Vuitton show.
This article first appeared on ELLE UK.