Louis Vuitton expands its horizons with a new hub in Shanghai

After conquering Tuscany with its branded ice creams, Milan with its café in the heart of the fashion district, Hong Kong with its installation at Art Basel, and even Chengdu where it opened a gourmet restaurant, Louis Vuitton is now thinking even bigger. The House has just set down its suitcases (or rather its trunks) in Shanghai, with not just a restaurant, nor a store, nor an art gallery, but all three at once. With The Louis, this new space dedicated to fashion, gastronomy, and art, the French House is further rooting itself abroad with a comprehensive and diverse offering, proving that French fashion knows no bounds. With its boat-shaped design that takes us to new horizons without ever leaving dry land, its walls adorned with books and perfumes, and its café surrounded by trunks, The Louis goes far beyond retail. In a tribute to Shanghai's rich maritime past, once China's main gateway to the world and now a cosmopolitan megacity, and with its futuristic aesthetic, the space is a continuous back-and-forth between past and future. 

The journey begins in grand style with the Visionary Journeys exhibition, conceived and designed by architect Shohei Shigematsu, welcoming visitors with the Trunkscape, an arch made of suspended Monogram trunks. The journey continues through eight thematic rooms: the first, Origins, recounts the beginnings of the Vuitton House, telling the story of its first workshops and the evolution of its trunks. Next comes Voyage, exploring the romance of travel, followed by Perfume, tracing the House's olfactory history, Books, celebrating the family's love and talent for words, and Sport, highlighting the House's high-profile collaborations with Formula 1, Fifa, and the recent Olympic Games. The journey finally ends with Fashion & Leather Goods, showcasing the evolution of the House's iconic bags through its various designers, and Workshop, revealing the well-kept secrets of the House’s craftsmanship, with a reconstruction of its Asnières workshop.

Once this journey through time is complete, a comforting drink or a fine dish awaits visitors on the third floor at the Café Louis Vuitton, where the culinary offerings and overall aesthetic evoke the energy of an open-sea cruise. Under the direction of chefs Leonardo Zambrino and Zoe Zhou, the restaurant acts as a cultural bridge, connecting the French House and the host city for a direct, non-stop journey. From the Monogram Ravioli shaped like jiaozis, the revisited Ceasar Salad Eclipse topped with yuzu vinaigrette, to the Peach and Jasmine Tea Charlotte, the restaurant is an ode to Chinese cuisine and French elegance. Open Monday through Sunday and located in the bustling Wujiang Road, this space marks a new chapter in the ever-expanding global journey of the Louis Vuitton House. But what will be its next destination?