Louis Vuitton opens ‘The Louis’ in Shanghai

Louis Vuitton is presenting its unique concept store, ​‘The Louis’, in Shanghai. The spectacular ship-shaped building combines a boutique store, a café, and an exhibition space in one.

Inspired by the company’s long tradition of travel and 19th-century craftsmanship, ​‘The Louis’ pays tribute to Louis Vuitton​’s origins as a manufacturer of high-quality luggage. The choice of Shanghai as the location – historically known as the ​‘Gateway to the East’ – underlines the maritime symbolism that characterises the project.

With its bow-shaped façade, monogrammed hull, and stacked floors, the building is reminiscent of a visionary blend of ocean liner and oversized travel trunk. Inside, the sales area, the new Le Café Louis Vuitton, and the immersive Louis Vuitton Visionary Journeys exhibition merge to create a cultural experience spanning three floors.

One special highlight is the café, run by chef Leonardo Zambrino and pastry chef Zoe Zhou, which harmoniously combines French sophistication with Chinese flavours. The signature culinary style of their Parisian training and mentors is reflected in every creation.

The ​‘Visionary Journeys’ exhibition offers a curated journey through Louis Vuitton’s heritage, featuring historic trunks, design classics such as the Keepall and Alma, archive pieces from the fashion, fragrance and sport divisions, and live demonstrations of traditional craftsmanship. Designed by architect Shohei Shigematsu (OMA), it impressively demonstrates how innovation, aesthetics, and history can merge into a new form of storytelling.

‘The Louis’ is more than a store – it is a journey through the past, present, and future of one of the world’s most influential brands.

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