Cover Louis Vuitton has just marked a significant milestone with the arrival of its yacht, The Louis, in Shanghai
Louis Vuitton has just marked a significant milestone with the arrival of its yacht, The Louis, in Shanghai
1 / 1
Louis Vuitton has just marked a significant milestone with the arrival of its yacht, The Louis, in Shanghai—unveiling a unique space where the art of travel, refined style and a storied cultural legacy converge.
Choosing Shanghai as the city to “anchor” this ship-shaped structure carries a powerful symbolism. Since the 6th century, this Pearl of the Orient has thrived with trading hubs such as Huating and Qinglong, carried along by the bustling flow of the Wusong River. Following the Treaty of Nanjing in 1843, which concluded the First Opium War and opened Chinese ports to the West, Shanghai swiftly emerged as a vital international trading centre, ushering in a golden era of global exchange.
By the close of the 19th century, both banks of the Huangpu River bore witness to a flourishing cultural and commercial dialogue between East and West, transforming Shanghai from a modest fishing village into a dynamic metropolis, particularly along the now-iconic Bund. In the 1930s, the rise of transoceanic shipping routes further cemented the city's standing as one of the world’s premier maritime ports.
Carrying this proud history forward, Louis Vuitton has reimagined those illustrious chapters in the form of a striking vessel moored by the Huangpu. The Louis is not merely a structure but a living echo, a contemporary cultural landmark that threads together Asnières and Shanghai through the enduring spirit of travel.
The Louis – A heritage journey in the heart of Shanghai
Set within the central square of the HKRI Taikoo Hui luxury shopping complex on lively Wujiang Road, The Louis makes a bold statement. A visual marvel inspired by the golden age of transatlantic crossings, its design pays homage to the maison’s legacy of crafting elegant sea trunks. At the same time, it channels Shanghai’s enduring identity as the “Gateway to the East”, a port city long at the crossroads of global exchange.
Above The “Gateway to the East”—a port city long at the crossroads of global exchange (photo: Louis Vuitton)
The “Gateway to the East”—a port city long at the crossroads of global exchange (photo: Louis Vuitton)
1 / 1
The hull is dressed in the brand’s signature metallic Monogram finish, punctuated by a silver anchor sculpted in the LV logo, which elegantly descends from the bow to the ground. Above, tiered roofing mirrors the layering of Louis Vuitton’s iconic trunks. At the centre of the deck lies an inviting open-air terrace shaded by generous umbrellas, evoking the breezy calm of a seaside retreat amidst the energy of the city.
Above The three-level structure of The Louis offers distinct realms of discovery (photo: Louis Vuitton)
Above The experience begins with “Trunkscape”—a mesmerising dome constructed from Monogram trunks, forming a portal where history and artistry meet (photo: Louis Vuitton)
The three-level structure of The Louis offers distinct realms of discovery (photo: Louis Vuitton)
1 / 2
A multi-layered experience
Spanning 1,600 square metres, the three-level structure of The Louis offers distinct realms of discovery. The first two floors house the “Visionary Journeys” exhibition, featuring over 140 artefacts that trace the maison’s evolution from the 19th century to today. Drawing inspiration from both the Asnières atelier by the Seine and the romance of sea voyages, the experience begins with “Trunkscape”, a mesmerising dome constructed from Monogram trunks, forming a portal where history and artistry meet.
See also: Jonathan Anderson: When creative thinking becomes a sustainable luxury business strategy
Above Guests can witness the craftsmanship up close—each Louis Vuitton bag a study in precision, endurance and artistry (photo: Louis Vuitton)
Above Guests can witness the craftsmanship up close—each Louis Vuitton bag a study in precision, endurance and artistry (photo: Louis Vuitton)
Guests can witness the craftsmanship up close—each Louis Vuitton bag a study in precision, endurance and artistry (photo: Louis Vuitton)
1 / 2
The following rooms unfold through various themes. Antique trunks are given new life through a modern lens (Origins), while other spaces explore personal travel (Voyage), olfactory heritage (Perfume), the maison’s relationship with sport (Sport), and its dynamic presence in fashion (Fashion in Motion). A particular highlight is the Workshop & Testing area, which displays the tools of the trade alongside live demonstrations. Here, guests can witness the craftsmanship up close: each Louis Vuitton bag a study in precision, endurance and artistry.
Above The top floor is home to Le Café Louis Vuitton, a refined space for culinary exploration (photo: Louis Vuitton)
Above The top floor is home to Le Café Louis Vuitton, a refined space for culinary exploration (photo: Louis Vuitton)
The top floor is home to Le Café Louis Vuitton, a refined space for culinary exploration (photo: Louis Vuitton)
1 / 2
Above Together, they create a sensorial journey that invites every guest to savour the adventurous spirit and extraordinary legacy of Louis Vuitton (photo: Louis Vuitton)
Above Together, they create a sensorial journey that invites every guest to savour the adventurous spirit and extraordinary legacy of Louis Vuitton (photo: Louis Vuitton)
Together, they create a sensorial journey that invites every guest to savour the adventurous spirit and extraordinary legacy of Louis Vuitton (photo: Louis Vuitton)
1 / 2
Meanwhile, the top floor is home to Le Café Louis Vuitton, a refined space for culinary exploration. The menu, crafted by chefs Leonardo Zambrino and Zoe Zhou, is a nuanced conversation between French and Chinese cuisines. Dishes like Monogram Ravioli, Mandarin Croque and Louis Hao are not mere combinations of ingredients, they are artful fusions of flavour and form, tradition and innovation. Together, they create a sensorial journey that invites every guest to savour the adventurous spirit and extraordinary legacy of Louis Vuitton.
