Go behind-the-scenes with Susie Lau at Louis Vuitton’s Cruise Collection

We've got the inside track

In a true marriage of fashion and art, Louis Vuitton kicked off their show in amongst the grounds of Fondation Maeght. The Cruise 2019 show snaked around Joan Miró labyrinth, with models sharing catwalk space with life-size figurine sculptures, in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a scenic hilltop town in the south of France. For Nicolas Ghesquière, the French fashion designer, it was his fifth Resort collection for Louis Vuitton and a particularly special moment as he’d just recently renewed his contract, just last week, as creative director for the house.

Of the 600 guests, lots of celebrities pitched up, among them stars like Sienna Miller, Emma Stone, Lea Seydoux, Sophie Turner and Mark Ronson. Fashion blogger and our woman-on-the-ground, Susie Lau, was there to capture all the show’s moments and highlights. Plus give us a sneaky look into some of the behind-the-scenes action.

Here’s what went down from the inside…

Nicolas Ghesquiere’s pooch made an appearance

It’s hard not to enjoy the build-up to a cruise show and that normally entails a miscellany of specially created souvenirs in our hotel rooms in Cannes when we arrived. I loved the stickers of Grace Coddington’s cat illustrations and the new addition of dogs, in lieu of Nicolas Ghesquiere’s own pet pooch! 

And the super cute mini Malle trunk that actually could function as a handbag, but only if you kept it really minimal for a night out.

Re-united with my blogger besties

I love being on the road with people that I’m truly good friends with. Bloggers and influencers tend to run in packs because we’re invited to the same events. It was great to be reunited with Bryan Boy and catch up with Aimee Song and Yoyo Cao, who has just had a little boy so we had a lot of mum talk to get through! I only ever seem to see them at fashion shows. I loved meeting newcomers like Chao Bui, an influencer from Vietnam who’s only 21! It was her first LV show and obviously, she was mega excited.

Casually spotted a few monks

Sod’s law that we get to the French Riviera and that it’s all grey skies.  It was touch-and-go whether we’d embark on the boat trip to the nearby island île Saint Honorat but in the end we ventured forth in standard-issue boat rain macs, as we were drenched with sea spray. 

The Cistercian monastery on the island was a beautiful rest stop though with incredibly lush flowers and palm trees. I was definitely way too optimistic decked out in my LV Monogram bikini. But the sun did eventually appear on the edge of the island by the rocks!

Did I mention the art?

I’ve visited the Fondation Maeght just once before but never really got an opportunity to see it properly then, so it was great that we arrived early for a pre-show cocktail and take a look around. We had fun weaving in and out of the Calder, Giacometti and Barbara Hepworth sculptures.

And just past the percussive orchestra stage was the show’s magnificent Miró Labyrinth. With all the lighting set up, the incredible Miró sculptures were illuminated in a really dramatic way. I spent half an hour walking around taking loads of snaps before the show even started.

The collection mimicked the architectural surrounds

Nicolas Ghesquière went for a site-specific collection, from oversized boho frocks in a Braque-esque palette to 80s glam and Mad Max ensembles. The mashing together of styles was so consciously madcap — I instantly loved it.

My favourite piece? The curved bolero jackets and the peach satin dress which was so intricately embroidered. Another highlight was the Archlight trainers, they’d been transformed into over the knee boots painted with Chagall-style brushstrokes. I also got a good look at the bag collaboration with Grace Coddington featuring those illustrated cats and dogs. Just so cute.

Had to fit in some pool time

The night concluded at one of my favourite spots, the iconic Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes. The iconic pool, that’s flanked by rocks on the one side and sea on the other, was given a special Louis Vuitton makeover. 

Sadly it was pummelling down with rain so we mainly stayed inside Club Louis Vuitton complete with beefy lifeguards hoisting guests up in their arms. 

Of course the next day the sun and blue skies were out in force.  I finished my LV Cruise journey beachside, finally getting to soak some rays…