Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton SS’26 showcase was a love letter to India

From a ramp that mimicked the age-old Indian game of Snakes and Ladders to the stirring echo of A.R. Rahman’s Yaara Punjabi performed live, Pharrell Williams’ Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2026 menswear showcase was a runway reverence. Held at UNESCO’s iconic Cour Carrée in Paris, the show unfolded like a love letter to India, with celebrated Indian architect Bijoy Jain crafting the scenography and the legendary LV trunk receiving a rich Indian reinterpretation. But beyond the vibrant symbolism and sonic nods, this show did something far more meaningful; it gave credit where it was due. In an industry often criticised for cultural cherry-picking, LV’s SS’26 outing stood out as a masterclass in acknowledgement, collaboration, and respect.

The Snake & Ladder Set by Bijoy Jain

William collaborated with Mumbai-based architect Bijoy Jain of Studio Mumbai to design a set that was nothing short of poetic. Taking cues from Saanp Seedhi- the ancient Indian board game that originated as a moral lesson in karma and salvation, the runway transformed into a life-sized meditation on movement and meaning. The floor beneath the models was crafted with timber, locally sourced marble, and hand-cut coloured stones, arranged in a subdued reinterpretation of Louis Vuitton’s iconic Damier check. Throughout the show, Indian craftsmanship didn’t clamor for attention, it simply belonged, anchoring the entire showcase with quiet confidence and cultural depth.

A.R. Rahman’s original as the soundtrack

For the show’s soundtrack, Pharrell collaborated with music maestro A.R. Rahman to create an original composition titled Yaara Punjabi. The track opened with an almost meditative calm, gradually building into a rich tapestry of layered percussion, gospel-style harmonies, and ambient grooves.

India-inspired trunks and embellishments

Mid-runway, Louis Vuitton’s iconic trunks took center stage, enshrined in glass vitrines like prized museum artefacts. While some bags glistened with crystal embellishments, others were adorned with motifs of elephants, palm trees, and other emblems screaming a South and Southeast Asian heritage connection.

As the final model stepped out to Rahman’s powerful score and Pharrell closed the show with a bow to India’s influence, one thing was clear- this show wasn’t inspiration; this was invitation.

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