Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2026 menswear show just did what most luxury brands try and often fail to pull off: take cultural inspiration and turn it into something fresh, bold, and genuinely cool. This season, India was the headline act. Not just a backdrop or a vague “inspiration board,” but the actual heart of the collection. And people noticed.The collection was packed with nods to Indian art, heritage, and everyday life, from royal motifs to street-style staples. But the piece that instantly went viral? A handbag shaped like an autorickshaw. Yes, you read that right. The classic three-wheeler that weaves through Indian traffic every day was reimagined in buttery leather, complete with the LV monogram.Sure, Louis Vuitton’s had its fun with quirky bags before (remember the plane, the fish, even a hamburger?), but this one felt different. It wasn’t just playful, it was specific. It was the kind of cultural reference that made people sit up and go, “Wait, did they really just make a designer rickshaw bag?” They did. And honestly, it looked good.Of course, the price tag is expected to be sky-high, somewhere between absurd and outrageous but that’s kind of the point. It’s fashion with a wink. A high-end tribute to something utterly normal, and that contrast is what makes it so unforgettable.
But the show didn’t stop at the rickshaw. The whole collection leaned into India’s rich design legacy. There were elephant and leopard motifs, gemstone-studded trunks that looked like they belonged in a Mughal palace, and lush fabrics covered in jewel-toned embroidery. Think: royalty meets modern luxury, with a little chaos of the street thrown in.Even the footwear joined the conversation. Among the looks were tong-style sandals that bore a clear resemblance to Indian chappals, an understated nod to traditional footwear, much like what Prada did earlier this year with their Kolhapuri-inspired styles. This version felt quieter, but still sharp.
What made it work was the balance, nothing felt like a costume, and nothing screamed “tourist in India.” Instead, it was more like a remix: elements pulled from real places and real culture, then reworked through a luxury lens.At a time when fashion often tiptoes around cultural influence, Louis Vuitton dove in and did it with taste. The show didn’t just showcase India, it honored it. From tuk-tuks to temples, this was a reminder that real style isn’t just about trends, it’s about telling stories.And right now, India is telling one the fashion world can’t ignore.
