Louis Vuitton’s latest Shanghai destination isn’t a typical boutique; it’s a full-scale cruise ship lookalike complete with a cultural exhibition and café on board.
Louis Vuitton has docked a ship in the middle of Shanghai’s Jing’an district. The new three-story flagship, called The Louis, stands just off Wujiang Road, its exterior wrapped in metallic Monogram panels and stacked like an oversized trunk formation. From a distance, it reads more vessel than storefront.
Inside, the space moves beyond traditional retail. The ground floor opens with Visionary Journeys, an exhibition created with architect Shohei Shigematsu and the firm OMA. Spanning two levels, the show traces the brand’s history through a series of rooms designed to feel more like transitions than stops. Visitors enter through a tunnel made of vintage trunks and move through scenes focused on fragrance, sport, literature, and travel. One gallery pairs archival perfume bottles with contemporary scents; another features custom trunks made for writers and athletes.
On the second floor, the retail experience blends into the exhibition. Collections for women and men are displayed in open, gallery-like areas. Personalization services include hot-stamp stations with Shanghai-exclusive motifs. Two artisans are present to demonstrate craft in real time.
Upstairs, Le Café Louis Vuitton offers a menu shaped by chefs Leonardo Zambrino and Zoe Zhou. The dishes reflect both French and Chinese influences: monogrammed dumplings, citrus-cured seabream, and pastry served with understated logo touches.
The Louis opens to the public on June 28. Entry is by timed reservation through the “My LV” WeChat Mini Program.
