The latest Louis Vuitton designer, Nicolas Ghesquière, speaks about the brand's innovation and how the interlocking 'L-V' symbol has been incorporated in his designs.
Inside a modest building outside Paris, you'll find a museum of sorts, where more than a century of treasures are carefully stored and preserved.
"It's intimidating," said Nicolas Ghesquière. "But here, it is always where you can find secrets. " Those secrets are in the hands of Ghesquière, the designer shaping the French fashion house Louis Vuitton. "The story of Louis Vuitton itself is innovation," he said.
"The man was the innovator in his process, in his development. " Louis Vuitton was born in 1821. The young French trunk-maker built a company on a simple idea: A flat, stackable trunk. It replaced the old rounded tops, and revolutionized travel.
"I'm fascinated that the first was function, and then, of course, this absolutely exquisite elaboration, that define what is luxury," Ghesquière said. "It's what we do; it's that balance between function, craftmanship, and in the same time looking forward for new ideas and innovation. " That original idea lives on at the Vuitton family home and workshop on the outskirts of Paris.
Pierre-Louis Vuitton, the founder's great-great-great-grandson, makes sure those famous trunks are still made just as they were 172 years ago.
"When they make a trunk, it's not a trunk for a day, it's not a trunk for a week; it's a trunk for life," he said. There's also that calling card: the interlocking"L-V" that is among the most recognizable and copied symbols in the world. Ghesquière said,"You have to forget that it's that big, because if you think too much about it, it's too intimidating.
Because every small decision you make at Louis Vuitton has a massive impact economically, creatively, in every aspect.
" When he designs a new fashion collection, Ghesquière says he thinks about that original Vuitton trunk:"Like a little bit of a fairy tale, I like to think about every season is like, let's open one trunk. What can you imagine is inside? What books would be inside? What colors?
What memories of a person?
" His Petite Malle, a trunk shrunk to the size of a small clutch, is a bridge from the company's 19th century origins to today. "It's just big enough to put a phone and some keys," he said. CBS News Ghesquière gave us a peek at his latest collection, set to show this week in New York. Sure to make headlines: a collaboration with the estate of the late artist Keith Haring.
"It's gonna be definitely for the clothes, certainly for the bags," Ghesquière said. Models walk the runway at the Louis Vuitton Womenswear Fall/Winter 2026-2027 show, part of Paris Fashion Week, March 10, 2026. He says the key is the unexpected:"It could be a classic surprise, a colorful one, or you know, something completely experimental. Fashion sells because people want new things.
Not only new; they want to be different.
"Louis Vuitton's interconnected"LV" is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world.
Louis Vuitton Designer Nicolas Ghesquière Innovation Innovation Through Function Interlocking 'L-V' Symbol Craftmanship Functionality Functionality Of Trunks Last 172 Years
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Designer and Artist Osanna Visconti Debuts First U.S. Exhibition at New York City’s Maison GerardDiscover Osanna Visconti's first U.S. exhibition at Maison Gerard in New York, featuring her unique cast-bronze furniture and objects inspired by nature.
Read more »
Tony Seiniger, Poster Designer and “Godfather of Movie Advertising,” Dies at 87He put illustrator Drew Struzan on the road to greatness and was behind the marketing for films including ‘Jaws,’ ‘Poltergeist,’ ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and ‘Field of Dreams.’
Read more »
Louis Vuitton Introduces the New Color Blossom Watch for 2026A new piece joins the Color Blossom universe, bringing Louis Vuitton’s iconic Monogram Flower into a watch designed to feel elegant, modern, and easy to wear every day, presented by House Ambassador Ana de Armas.
Read more »
James Harden's Girlfriend Paije Flexes Insane Designer Gift Haul Before Cavs GameJames Harden's girlfriend, Paije Speights, is showing up in style to the Cleveland Cavaliers' May 15 NBA playoff game.
Read more »