Louis Vuitton "The Louis" Shanghai Concept Store

Louis Vuitton has opened "The Louis", a cruise ship–inspired store on Nanjing West Road in Shanghai. The 30-meter-tall building honors the brand's 19th-century history of making travel trunks. It also pays tribute to Shanghai's past as a major port city known as the "Gateway to the East".

The store covers 1,600 square meters across three floors. Its exterior features Louis Vuitton's monogram, with a steel bow and a silver hull accented by a red stripe, designed to look like a luxury cruise liner.

Inside The Louis, the space is designed to be both beautiful and immersive. The first two floors host the "Visionary Journeys" exhibition, which explores Louis Vuitton's ties to maritime culture and craftsmanship. Visitors see floating monogram trunks that create a dreamlike feeling, along with a perfume room showing vintage toiletry kits inside trunks and a book room featuring writings by Gaston-Louis Vuitton.

There is also a sports room displaying gear from events like Formula 1 and the Olympics, with digital screens and trophy trunks enhancing the experience. Guests can also watch live demonstrations by artisans in a working atelier, giving a behind-the-scenes look at Louis Vuitton's craftsmanship.

Le Café Louis Vuitton is located on the top floor of The Louis and offers an elegant dining experience with a menu that blends local Shanghai flavors and Western cooking styles. Guests can eat on an outdoor terrace overlooking the ship's deck or enjoy drinks at a stylish bar. The café also serves a wide variety of pastries.

The retail areas in The Louis are large and carefully arranged, featuring leather goods, accessories, and ready-to-wear items for both men and women. Personalization is important here, with special hot-stamp stations offering Shanghai-only designs to make purchases bespoke. This new concept highlights Louis Vuitton's travel heritage while redefining luxury shopping.

The Louis is open to the public for free, but visitors need to register in advance through the "My LV" WeChat mini program to access the "Visionary Journeys" exhibition.