Louis Vuitton's cruise collection re-invisioned the medieval gothic in Avignon

Had Nicolas Ghesquiere watched Conclave when he decided where to show his cruise collection? Instead of the usual architecturally significant modernist location, he chose the 14th Century Palais des Papes in Avignon, the biggest medieval structure in Europe, now a UNESCO heritage site and as grand as you’d imagine any Papal palace to be.

In front of an audience that included Brigitte Macron, Emma Stone, Saoirse Ronan and Cate Blanchett – all seated on velvet thrones of Cardinal red – he put on a magical, theatrical spectacle that mixed the medieval with glam rock. Lavishly embellished and with just the right amount of drama, this was a compelling demonstration of his unique ability to turn historical reference into something startlingly modern. Not to mention desirable: the bedazzled open-toe booties might be this cruise season’s stand out.

See highlights from the show here: