Jaden Smith challenged conventional menswear aesthetics at the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2026 show on Thursday, presenting a look that aligned seamlessly with Pharrell Williams’ gender-fluid and boundary-defying vision for the house. His appearance, marked by dramatic footwear choices and sculptural layering, reflected the ongoing redefinition of fashion norms under Williams’ creative direction.
The multi-hyphenate artist and actor arrived in a monochromatic maroon ensemble anchored by a voluminous parka. The oversized windbreaker-style outerwear featured prominent hardware, including a zippered chest pocket and a gathered hem, while a matching hood and trousers created a seamless tonal appearance. Yet, it was the footwear that drew the most attention and pushed the boundaries of menswear conventions.
Smith wore slouchy, gray boots from Louis Vuitton’s Fall 2025-26 womenswear collection. Originally showcased during the brand’s women’s presentation in Paris earlier this year, the boots featured a distinctively avant-garde construction. Crafted from layered fabric, they buttoned at the ankle and flared into wide cuffs at the calf, with softly squared toes adding a subtle contrast to the utilitarian feel of the rest of the outfit. The plush texture and flowing silhouette of the boots brought softness and an unconventional shape to the look, shifting the masculine narrative away from structured edge and toward fluidity and comfort.
Complementing the ensemble, Smith carried a lantern-shaped handbag in Louis Vuitton’s classic monogram pattern. Held aloft like a performance prop, the accessory served as both a functional item and a theatrical statement, echoing the house’s exploration of objects as elements of personal style.
This was not Smith’s first foray into experimental styling under the Louis Vuitton banner. At the Spring 2025 ready-to-wear show in Paris, he had donned low-rise black trousers with a structured jacket featuring an exaggerated collar. He layered multiple necklaces and stacked rings and bracelets beneath the jacket cuffs. A Louis Vuitton belt, finished with a dangling bicycle keychain, added a playful, improvisational element to the look — a styling choice that, like his recent appearance, emphasized individuality through accessorizing.
The Cruise 2026 presentation took place at the historic Palais des Papes in Avignon, France, a continuation of Louis Vuitton’s tradition of hosting its Cruise shows in architecturally and culturally rich locations. Previous shows have been held at the Salk Institute in San Diego and the Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore, settings chosen to reflect the brand’s balance between legacy and innovation.
In merging high-concept design with an inclusive approach to gender and silhouette, Jaden Smith’s appearance underscored the evolving narrative at Louis Vuitton — one that places creativity, self-expression, and boundary-blurring at the center of fashion’s future.
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