Louis Vuitton Men Spring Summer 2025, backstage, close up “LE MONDE EST À VOUS” at UNESCO. Story by Eleonora de Gray, Editor-in-Chief of RUNWAY MAGAZINE. Photo Courtesy: Louis Vuitton.

Before we dive into the satirical splendor that is the Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring Summer 2025 Collection, let’s get one thing straight: this article is for everyone, regardless of the color of their skin. We celebrate cultural diversity here, not just the diversity of skin tones—a nuance that seems to have been chosen as a narrator of this Louis Vuitton show as noted in their press release.

African Diaspora Fashion Extravaganza

Let’s all take a moment to applaud Louis Vuitton’s bold new venture into the wild, uncharted territory of… skin tones. Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Spring Summer 2025 Collection is a sartorial journey through the many shades of brown, culminating in the ultimate fashion destination: white. Because nothing says “global unity” like a color palette that mirrors the human race.

And there’s green of course…

“But freedom takes green!
It’s the green, it’s the green, it’s the green you need
And when I looked into your future
It’s the green that I see!”

(“Friends on the Other Side” – Princess and the Frog – Disney)

From Black to Beige: The Color Odyssey

The show kicks off with a progression of colors that can only be described as the world’s most elaborate coffee-tasting session. From the darkest espresso to a latte that’s more milk than coffee, it seems Louis Vuitton is determined to take us on a chromatic voyage from Africa to… Scandinavia? Either way, the whole thing is supposedly a narrative “created” by artificial intelligence tools. Of course, we all know AI is perfect for swapping and merging, but when it comes to creating a unique concept, well, it seems the machines still have a lot to learn from good old human creativity.

The Airline That Never Was

Remember Air Afrique? No? Well, neither does anyone else since it stopped flying in 2002. But hey, let’s resurrect its memory with a blue, green, and black check pattern based on old luggage designs. Nothing screams “modern and forward-thinking” like referencing a defunct airline. A group of creatives with undeniably cool names like Lamine Diaoune and Djiby Kebe worked on this collection alongside Pharrell Williams, giving it an air of pan-continental diaspora authenticity. Because nothing unites us like a failed airline’s baggage design.

Camouflage, Python, and Soccer Balls

The collection takes a sudden detour into the realms of camouflage and pixelated python skin. And let’s not forget the world map with Africa at its center. Because why just tell a story when you can bash your audience over the head with symbolism? Soccer ball panel leather looks also make an appearance, paying homage to the African game.

Buttons, Beads, and Pearls, Oh My!

The collection also features buttons the size of a fingernail with enamel world maps, symbolizing African diaspora all over the world. And let’s not overlook the pearls. Oh, the pearls! They’re piped on pajama suits, adorning windowpane checks, and decorating belt chains. It’s like a bead store exploded and Louis Vuitton just rolled with it. The pièce de résistance? A hand-embroidered overshirt that took 30 artisans 10 days to complete. Talk about artisanal sweatshop chic.

Aviation Chic and Diplomatic Dandy

The silhouettes, inspired by the archetypal codes of travelers, range from pilot-inspired bomber jackets to slender double-breasted coats for the diplomat in all of us. Because if there’s one thing every man needs, it’s to look like he’s ready to negotiate a peace treaty at a moment’s notice for Africa. The collection also includes refined tracksuits and workwear for the leisure traveler, sophisticated sportswear for the explorer, and football-inspired garments. It’s like they’re dressing the entire cast of African spy movie.

A Humble View from Space

Pharrell Williams and his creative team invite us to zoom in and zoom out and see humanity from a solar perspective. And by humanity he meant Africa, of course. This means muted, monotone silhouettes that reveal intricate details upon closer inspection. The effect is supposed to reflect the idea of skin—tonal from afar but sophisticated up close. Because who doesn’t want their clothing to mimic human flesh? The entire collection is an ode to the nuances of skin tones, illuminated by the same sun. Yet, the irony here is thicker than the leather on their overpriced bags: a globalized collection dedicated to just one human race, under the guise of diversity.

Pretentious Marketing at Its Best

According to the press release, this collection “celebrates the humans that co-inhabit the Earth.” However, it appears they’re only celebrating one human race scattered from Africa. The collaboration with Air Afrique, with its nods to a long-defunct airline and Afro-diasporic arts, seems more like a marketing gimmick than a genuine effort at inclusivity. The emphasis on African diaspora to the exclusion of others feels less like a celebration of diversity and more like an overly curated, myopic view of globalization.

The Invited Guests: Diversity by Pharrell Williams

Ah, the guest list—curated with such precision to showcase “diversity of human races by Pharrell Williams.” And by diversity, they mean 99% Afro-Americans. But wait, it gets better! The crème de la crème of this guest list includes drug-lords, crypto-lords, and other illustrious figures. When Michael Jackson sang “We are the world, we are the children,” it was a heartfelt anthem celebrating human diversity. Pharrell’s message, on the other hand, feels more like a cheeky nod to the dominance of one race over all others “under the sun.” Bravo, Pharrell, son of a … ! Bravo!

VIP-guests at Louis Vuitton “diversity” show

Excessive Love of Exotic Fur

Just when you thought it couldn’t get more extravagant, Pharrell’s excessive love for exotic fur makes a grand entrance. A few coats, presented as primary pieces of the collection, highlight this affection. It’s as if Pharrell thought, “Why not add a touch of pretentiousness and a dash of disconnect from genuine diversity and sustainability?” Truly, a masterclass in tone-deaf opulence.

Conclusion: AI-Driven Mediocrity

In the end, the Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring Summer 2025 Collection stands as a testament to what happens when AI-driven design tries to masquerade as human creativity. It’s a parade of high-priced, meticulously detailed garments that lack a cohesive soul. The message of diversity is drowned out by the pretentiousness of it all. Maybe next season, Louis Vuitton will discover that true globalization involves more than just African diaspora and a nod to a long-gone airline.

See All Looks Louis Vuitton Men Spring Summer 2025

See Backstage and Close Up Louis Vuitton Men Spring Summer 2025