California cool: Louis Vuitton presents cruise collection 2015/16

 The darlings of the fashion world gathered in Palm Springs, California, on Wednesday for the Louis Vuitton Cruise Collection 2015 sunset show.

And what a show it was: Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquière presented a playful, dramatic and yet sophisticated collection in which vintage glamour was given a modern edge.

The show opened with fluid maxi skirts and dresses and flowing blouses cut drastically across the midriff by large studded leather belts and buckles. Leather paneling and zip details leant gravitas to the pretty floral or nautical fabric prints. Silhouettes were kept loose and materials luxe, with silk featuring heavily throughout.

The colors were intense and saturated, with quilted housecoats in plush reds and dreamy lilac tones thrown into the mix with bottle green motorbike jackets and a tangerine studded flared jumpsuit. Tailored trousers in taupes, whites and beiges added a classic sophistication to the look but were livened up with patchwork suede coats or sequined color-block jackets.

The real playfulness was in the detailing -- from using studs to create shape for dresses and blouses to beaded fringing on tops and lots of zips. Flower motif cut-outs on stiff leather dresses and ruffled collars also made an appearance. Though the silhouettes were considered and balanced and the craftwork impeccable, this was a collection that underlined the joy of travel.