The cruise collections of the major design houses once again live up to their origins as a seasonal event for jet set customers in the early 1920s. Chanel kicked off the season with a show in Los Angeles, California, but that’s far from the end of the industry’s travel plans for the month. From fashion on three continents to historical backdrops to men’s collections that go on trips – these brands are about to pack their bags.
Gucci celebrates anniversary in Seoul
Gucci is currently on the road without a creative director, but that doesn’t stop the Italian fashion house from traveling. On May 16, the brand will present its latest cruise collection in Seoul, South Korea. The show, which was originally scheduled to walk the runway a day early, celebrates the brand’s 25th anniversary in Seoul. In 1998, Gucci opened its first retail store in Seoul, and the milestone is now being honored with a presentation in the historic Gyeongbokgung Palace. The collection was designed by the in-house design team, which has been in charge since Alessandro Michele left in November. Appointed in January as Creative Director Sabato De Sarno, the first collection will be presented during Milan Fashion Week in September.
Dior pays tribute to Mexico
From Seoul, the fashion industry is heading to Mexico City, where Maria Grazia Chiuri will unveil her collection for Dior on May 20th. With a show in Mexico, the designer’s wish is to pay tribute to the country’s vast and rich cultural heritage, the French fashion house announced a few weeks ago. It’s not Dior’s first foray into foreign lands, as Grazia Chiuri is known for being inspired by art and culture from around the world. Just last year, it was for Spain and flamenco that Dior traveled to Seville to host a cruise collection.
Versace provides an extra dose of glamor in Cannes
Fashion has always been a hot topic at the annual Cannes Film Festival, but this year it’s taking center stage away from the red carpet. On May 23, during the film festival, Versace will host a fashion show in the luxury French resort. While it’s not officially a cruise collection, it’s a collaboration with British singer and longtime Versace muse Dua Lipa. “La Vacanza”, as the collection is called, was designed jointly by Lipa and Versace and will be available in Versace’s physical stores and online store after the fashion show. Back in February, Versace ventured into foreign waters when the fashion house decided to launch its Fall/Winter 2023 collection over the Oscars weekend in Hollywood.
Louis Vuitton is drawn to the beautiful island
From the seaside town on the French Riviera to the Borromean Islands in Italy’s Lake Maggiore. Louis Vuitton chose Isola Bella as the scenic backdrop for its May 24 cruise show. The French fashion house is currently traveling a lot and just presented a pre-fall show in Seoul at the end of April. For spring, however, Louis Vuitton and creative director Nicolas Ghesquiere remain on European soil, focusing on the island, which a statement from the fashion house described as “a treasure trove of Baroque art floating above the water”.
Men’s fashion is also traveling
The travel fever hasn’t just gripped the cruise collections this year, men’s fashion is also on the move in the big cities of the world. On June 12, creative director Anthony Vaccarello will present his men’s fashion collection for Saint Laurent in Berlin and Valentino is also traveling, albeit to his own homeland.
While the fashion house and Pierpaolo Piccioli usually present their collections in Paris, the designer chose Milan Fashion Week for his first all-menswear show in three years. “The Narratives Menswear Show” will take place on June 16th at the University Building of the Università degli Studi di Milano Statale.