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The Ship That Doesn’t Sail: Louis Vuitton Launched a Ship in the Middle of Shanghai Featuring Art, Historical Trunks, Rare Perfumes, and a Café That Blends France and China

Written by Ruth Rodrigues
Published on 14/07/2025 at 09:46
Fonte: Fashion Network
Louis Vuitton surpreende com The Louis, um navio-galeria em Xangai que une exposição, gastronomia e moda em um projeto assinado pelo escritório OMA.
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Louis Vuitton Surprises with The Louis, a Gallery Ship in Shanghai that Unites Exhibition, Gastronomy, and Fashion in a Project Designed by the OMA Office. Learn All About This New Luxury Experience.

The city of Shanghai has just received a new attraction that combines luxury, history, and futuristic architecture. It is The Louis, a new space from Louis Vuitton that resembles the shape of a ship and offers an immersion into the century-long journey of the French maison.

The project occupies a central area of the city, on bustling Wujiang Road, and celebrates the brand’s heritage through an impactful structure.

Designed with modern lines, the building stands out for resembling stacked trunks and metallic surfaces that shine in the sunlight.

This visual composition reinforces the brand’s connection to the world of travel and pays tribute to Shanghai’s maritime identity, one of the most symbolic port cities in Asia.

Visionary Journeys Offers Immersive Exhibition on Three Floors

Inside The Louis, visitors experience a unique sensory journey. The exhibition Visionary Journeys, conceived by architect Shohei Shigematsu from the OMA office, is the heart of the project.

Divided into three floors, the exhibition showcases iconic Louis Vuitton objects and demonstrates how the brand positions itself as a link between different cultures and times.

Right at the beginning of the journey is the installation Trunkscape. Composed of arches created from Monogram canvas trunks, the work proposes a visual journey through time.

Other spaces like Origins and Voyage expand the narrative, presenting reinterpretations of historical pieces, rare documents, and personalized items that reveal the artisanal spirit of the maison.

The area dedicated to perfume also draws attention. Historical bottles from 1927 share space with contemporary creations signed by Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud, the house’s perfumer.

Naval Architecture Reinforces the Connection Between Louis Vuitton and the Sea

The structure of The Louis impresses not only with its size but also with its concept. The building was designed to resemble a modern ship anchored in the heart of Shanghai’s financial center.

Elements like a stylized bow, metallic cladding with Monogram patterns, and a sense of movement evoke the luxury vessels of the 19th century.

The Louis, new gallery ship from Louis Vuitton
The Louis, new gallery ship from Louis Vuitton. Source: Disclosure.

This aesthetic reinforces Louis Vuitton’s history as a provider of luggage and travel accessories.

Moreover, the project creates a symbolic bridge between the brand and Shanghai’s maritime tradition, one of the main international trade hubs in the East.

The Louis Goes Beyond Fashion and Becomes a Cultural and Gastronomic Hub

More than just an exhibition, The Louis is a complete experience. On the third floor is Le Café Louis Vuitton, a space that blends the sophistication of French cuisine with typical flavors of Shanghai’s culinary scene. The proposal is crafted by local and international chefs.

The building also houses a multi-space flagship store, featuring collections by Marc Jacobs, Virgil Abloh, and Pharrell Williams.

There is also a customization service for pieces and temporary exhibitions that engage with contemporary design.

Additionally, special events are frequently organized.

Among them are book launches, art shows, and thematic presentations related to sports, reinforcing Louis Vuitton’s positioning as a global brand of style and culture.

With this new venture in Shanghai, Louis Vuitton reaffirms its role as a symbol of innovation. The Louis transforms the way the public interacts with luxury, connecting the past and future through the art of travel.

With information from the EXAME website.

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Ruth Rodrigues

Formada em Ciências Biológicas pela Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (UERN), atua como redatora e divulgadora científica.

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