Louis Vuitton draws inspiration from the Wild West for its AW24 show

The autumn-winter 2024/2025 Louis Vuitton show at Paris Fashion Week seemed to draw inspiration from Martin Scorcese’s film “Killers of the Flower Moon”. The show, which closed the first day of the event, was held at the Jardin d’Acclimatation and was more subdued than previous shows hosted by Pharrell Williams.

Guests, including celebrities such as Bradley Cooper, Omar Sy, Tahar Rahim, Playboi Carti and members of the K-Pop group Riize, entered the venue via the Fondation Louis Vuitton. Meanwhile, photographers accessed the catwalk through merry-go-rounds.

The show was a celebration of the fusion of cowboy attire and Native American imagery, a theme brought together by Williams. Louis Vuitton’s ateliers showcased their skills through this cultural interaction, despite the real history of these two communities being quite different.

The cowboy-inspired pieces included fringed jackets, sheriff’s ascots, Stetsons, cowboy boots, pearl and sequin glazed denim, leather trousers mimicking horse saddle embossing, and plaids for chilly desert nights. Materials such as suede, denim, and leather were aged to resemble the effects of the prairie sun.

Native American influences were seen in fine stonework, hand-painting, and embroidery. Dakota and Lakota artists and craftsmen created Parfleche blankets and Dakota Flower scarves.

The show concluded with a performance by Dakota and Lakota artists, signifying a desire to honor Native American culture. The performers, part of the Native Voices of Resistance powwow group, wore garments designed by Dee Jay Two Bears of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, featuring modern winter counting patterns.

Notably, the show included women’s silhouettes, a signature of Nicolas Ghesquière at Louis Vuitton, and a fur coat and Speedy crocodile bag, despite growing demands for animal ethics. Consequently, PETA activists attempted to disrupt the show.