India took the spotlight at Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2026 menswear show held in Paris on June 25, 2025. The fashion show was directed by LV’s creative head and rapper Pharrell Williams, who openly celebrated Indian culture and style.
The runway, designed by Indian architect Bijoy Jain, was inspired by the ancient Indian game Snakes and Ladders. The game’s life-size version became the main theme of the stage. The fashion house also shared behind-the-scenes glimpses of Jain and his work on social media.
Indian inspiration was visible in the clothes too. From bejewelled jackets, shiny trunks, and brightly coloured bags, to Indian-style chappals, the whole collection reflected India’s rich style. LV also brought back its designs from the 2007 movie The Darjeeling Limited, with animal and tropical prints on jackets, sneakers, and bags.
Pharrell Williams, who had earlier visited New Delhi, Mumbai, and Jodhpur, said he drew inspiration from India’s colours, spices, and heritage. “You’ll see turmeric, cinnamon, and coffee indigo denim in the line,” he shared. The show’s soundtrack “Yaara Punjabi”, composed by A.R. Rahman and Pharrell, was specially created for the event. Even Beyoncé and Jay-Z were seen enjoying the performance.
Indian stars like Ishaan Khatter and Nora Fatehi were among the guests, adding more Indian charm to the event.
Many praised Louis Vuitton for giving credit to Indian design and culture. In contrast, other luxury brands like Prada have faced criticism for copying Indian fashion, like Kolhapuri chappals, and selling them under foreign labels without naming the original source.
As India becomes a big market for luxury fashion, Indian customers now expect global brands to respect and credit Indian traditions. Louis Vuitton’s approach of acknowledging Indian influence is being seen as a positive step, and other fashion houses are being encouraged to do the same.
India’s art, fashion, and culture continue to inspire the world—but today, Indians want that inspiration to be respected, not repackaged.
