At a time when a certain global designer brand is being accused of cultural appropriation, another is walking down the ramp, deeply inspired by India—and acknowledging it, too.
During the Men's Spring-Summer 2026 showcase at Place Georges Pompidou, part of the ongoing Paris Fashion Week, Louis Vuitton incorporated Indian elements into every aspect of its presentation—from ornate trunks embellished with Indian motifs to a large-scale Snakes and Ladders board designed by Indian architect Bijoy Jain of Studio Mumbai. Irrespective of whether the latest collection by Louis Vuitton garners public approval, one thing is certain: all eyes are on India.
Louis Vuitton’s Indian Connection
India first became a muse for Pharrell Williams, the luxury brand’s multi-hyphenate men’s creative director, in 2018. That year, he visited the country during Holi to launch the Powder Dye capsule collection for German athletic apparel and footwear brand Adidas. Fast-forward to 2025, and the musician-turned-designer staged a fusion of Indian traditions and modern dandyism at Louis Vuitton's Pompidou runway, following a research trip through New Delhi, Mumbai and Jodhpur.
But for Williams’ Louis Vuitton, this love for all things India is more than just for show. Far from being confined to accessories or clothing lines, the show celebrated the nation in every detail—even with a distinctly Parisian backdrop.
How India Walked the Louis Vuitton Ramp in Paris
Louis Vuitton’s Snakes and Ladders S/S 2026 show set by Bijoy Jain
Bijoy Jain, the visionary behind the architecture firm Studio Mumbai, has long cemented his name for avant-garde projects. So, when Jain teamed up with Williams, a similar colossal creation was expected. For the Spring-Summer 2026 showcase in Paris, Jain crafted a life-size Snakes and Ladders board game that doubled as the runway for the show.
The traditional game is believed to have originated in ancient India as Moksha Patam, associated with a Hindu philosophy which contrasts karma (destiny) and kama (desire). It is also interpreted as a tool to impart moral wisdom, where the ladders signify virtues such as generosity, faith and humility, while the snakes represent vices such as lust, anger, murder and theft.
In the modern-day avatar created by Jain for the Louis Vuitton ramp in Paris, Snakes and Ladders could just as easily be seen as a parallel to the global fashion game of risks, hits and misses. In its own words, Louis Vuitton states: "A life-sized game of Snakes and Ladders transforms Place Georges Pompidou into a veritable playground, immersing the audience as players in this metaphorical construct of possibility.”
Background Music and Unreleased Track Debut by AR Rehman
Louis Vuitton’s Men's Spring-Summer 2026 showcase in Paris didn’t just look like India though; it sounded Indian, too. Having already taken Indian beats to the global stage at the Oscars in 2009, this year Indian musical composer and record producer AR Rahman debuted an unreleased song, titled, Yarra Punjabi, as part of the show’s official soundtrack. Notably, this marks Rahman’s first collaboration with Louis Vuitton.
A 50-piece orchestra kicked off the show. What followed next was layered synths and rhythms, eventually transitioning into dhol beats at the halfway mark of the show. Punjabi vocals echoed in the open-air showcase as models sashayed down the ramp. While the full track is still under wraps, this teaser doubled as the apt backdrop for a show celebrating a cultural crossover.
An India-inspired Collection by Louis Vuitton
This season, Pharell, and by extension Louis Vuitton, looked towards India for design inspiration as well. Think open-toed paduka-style footwear, embroidered jeans adorning elephant motifs, and even embellished trunks being wheeled down the gameboard. While the resulting clothing tipped on the eclectic side—pleated trousers, striped coats, embellished workwear, and micro blazers to name a few—the overarching motif is one of "present-day Indian sartorialism," according to Louis Vuitton's release.
And it showed. Rich turmeric yellows, spiced cinnamon browns, and deep, earthy indigos served as the colour palette throughout the evening. A leather jacket, tinted in an inky eggplant shade, was paired with a cricket tie and cargo trousers—a nod to Anglo-Indian heritage with high fashion.
The Darjeeling Limited Capsule Collection
Particularly noteworthy was the capsule collection which revived the vintage Louis Vuitton animal print seen in The Darjeeling Collection, an iconic movie by American filmmaker Wes Anderson. In 2007, the luxury brand, under the watchful creative leadership of Marc Jacobs, crafted bespoke luggage for the movie.
In 2025, this limited capsule collection is back with the same creatures (elephants, zebras, cheetahs, and giraffes), but reimagined in fine embroidery. Add to this vegetable-tanned leather trunks, and wearable art pieces for a true homage to the movie, and India as a whole.
Growing Love For India
As the collection’s cultural symbolism played out on the chequered runway, guests including musicians Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Jackson Wang; and actor and filmmaker Bradley Cooper added to the international star power. On the Indian front, this representation was by actors Ishaan Khatter and Nora Fatehi, as well as Padmanabh Singh from the Jaipur royal family. Seeing these stars in attendance underscores India’s growing presence in the global luxury narrative—a trend that Louis Vuitton has picked up on.
In fact, in 2022, Louis Vuitton launched an India-exclusive Capsule collection featuring embossed mules, sneakers, and slingback pumps. In 2024, the luxury brand also brought its coveted trunk collection to the country. It’s obvious, then, that Louis Vuitton is strategically piercing its way into the hearts of India’s emerging affluent class. As for us, we’re happy to see this dice roll!
