ALL ABOARD “THE LOUIS”: LOUIS VUITTON LAUNCHES FLOATING FLAGSHIP EXPERIENCE IN SHANGHAI.

Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton has set sail on a new era of luxury retail with the unveiling of “The Louis” — an extraordinary cruise-inspired cultural and shopping experience anchored in the heart of Shanghai’s Jing’an district. Located on the iconic Nanjing West Road, this awe-inspiring, 30-meter-tall structure is shaped like a gleaming ocean liner — a bold architectural statement celebrating Louis Vuitton’s historic roots in travel trunk craftsmanship while paying tribute to Shanghai’s role as a port city and global gateway. More than a flagship, The Louis is a vessel of imagination, history, and immersive design. Spanning 1,600 square meters across three exquisitely designed levels, The Louis seamlessly merges past and future. Designed by Shohei Shigematsu of OMA, the exterior wraps in the brand’s iconic monogram, finished with a futuristic metallic silver hull and a vivid red stripe. Leather strap details and crisp white stitching mimic Louis Vuitton’s classic trunks, making the building itself a sculptural piece of branded art. Step aboard, and you’ll enter a world where storytelling meets sensory indulgence.

Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

The first two floors house the “Visionary Journeys” exhibition — a multisensory voyage through Louis Vuitton’s enduring relationship with craftsmanship, innovation, and adventure. Here, floating monogram trunks seem to drift mid-air like surreal relics from a dream, while curated zones invite guests to explore the maison’s legacy in scent, sport, literature, and travel. The Olfactive Room showcases vintage toiletry kits and rare perfumes inside archival trunks. The Book Room honors Gaston-Louis Vuitton with original writings, a typewriter, and a trunk-turned-library. The Sports Gallery celebrates Vuitton’s modern-day associations with Formula 1 and the Olympics, complete with sleek digital projections and collectible trunks. The Artisan Studio brings craftsmanship to life, with on-site artisans offering real-time demonstrations using the brand’s signature “Louisette” tools — a rare peek into the secrets behind every LV piece.

Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Le Café Louis Vuitton: A Taste of Travel

At the ship’s summit sits Le Café Louis Vuitton, a refined dining escape that blends Eastern and Western cuisines in a celebration of global taste. Enjoy a Shanghai-inspired fusion menu, sip cocktails on the terrace overlooking the “deck,” or indulge in decadent pastries crafted exclusively for this café. Designed to be as elegant as it is inviting, the café extends the luxury experience into the world of gastronomy, with bold flavors and refined visuals to match.

Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Beyond spectacle, The Louis delivers on Louis Vuitton’s promise of tailored excellence. The retail floor is curated with ready-to-wear collections, leather goods, accessories, and exclusive items available only in Shanghai. Dedicated personalization zones offer hot-stamping services featuring Shanghai-exclusive motifs, turning each purchase into a collectible memory tied to place and time. Whether you’re shopping, exploring, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, The Louis transforms every moment into an immersive journey. With The Louis, Louis Vuitton doesn’t just open a store — it sets a new course for luxury experience worldwide. By fusing architecture, culture, craftsmanship, and hospitality, the maison sails beyond traditional retail into an era where every visit feels like a curated journey. This is not just a flagship — it’s the future of fashion as a destination.

Location: Taikoo Hui, Jing’an District, Shanghai

Public Opening: Now open daily from 10 AM–10 PM

Entry: Free general access

Exhibition Access: Advance booking required for Visionary Journeys via the “My LV”

by WeChat mini program.

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