At the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2026 presentation on Thursday, Jaden Smith made a bold fashion statement that challenged conventional menswear norms, aligning seamlessly with Pharrell Williams’ evolving, gender-fluid vision for the brand—one marked by avant-garde silhouettes and reinterpretations of archival pieces.
Arriving at the event in Avignon’s storied Palais des Papes, Smith turned heads in a tonal maroon ensemble anchored by an oversized parka. The windbreaker-inspired coat featured dramatic volume and utilitarian detailing, including a zippered chest pocket, cinched hem, and matching hood. The coordinating trousers kept the look cohesive, but it was his footwear that stole the spotlight.
Smith wore sculptural gray boots from Louis Vuitton’s Fall 2025–26 women’s collection—a daring crossover that emphasized softness over structure. The boots, which debuted earlier this year in Paris, featured a layered fabric design that buttoned at the ankle and flared into a cuffed calf. With softly squared toes and a plush texture, the boots offered a striking contrast to the rugged, weather-ready outerwear, creating a look that was more cocoon than combat.
He completed the outfit with a lantern-shaped handbag adorned in classic Louis Vuitton monogram, which he carried aloft like a stage prop—a playful nod to the house’s ongoing exploration of accessories as artistic objects. This theatrical flair echoed Louis Vuitton’s recent push toward imaginative, gender-inclusive styling under Williams’ direction.
Smith’s look followed a familiar personal aesthetic—layered proportions offset by a bold statement piece. At Louis Vuitton’s Spring 2025 ready-to-wear show in Paris, he similarly embraced experimental styling with low-slung trousers, a sharply tailored jacket, and an array of stacked jewelry. A Louis Vuitton belt, embellished with a dangling bicycle keychain, added an impromptu, whimsical finish.
The Cruise 2026 show’s location continued Louis Vuitton’s tradition of staging collections in architecturally and historically rich settings. Following past shows at the Salk Institute in San Diego and Isola Bella in Lake Maggiore, this year’s event at the medieval Palais des Papes reinforced the house’s commitment to blending heritage with forward-thinking fashion.
