The relationship between man and nature, the connection between art, architecture, and material, the dialogue between Indian tradition and modernity, and above all, the ability to “make materials speak,” are the defining features of the work of Indian architect Bijoy Jain. Jain was invited to collaborate with Louis Vuitton by its creative director, Pharrell Williams.
Known to the public for his exhibition Breath of an Architect at the Fondation Cartier in 2024, and before that for his participation in the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2010, the visionary designer conceived a life-size reproduction of the ancient Indian board game Snakes and Ladders for the Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer 2026 menswear collection’s set.
The challenge is to reach the end of the board by climbing the ladders while avoiding the snakes, which are used as a metaphor for the ability to overcome obstacles, progress, and create opportunities, consistent with the philosophy that drives Pharrell Williams’ work for Louis Vuitton. The show’s set was erected in the square of the Centre Pompidou, which is undergoing renovation for the next five years, and made of hand-painted wood in amber colors, on which five snakes were represented in shades of turquoise, orange, and green.
The audience and the models were part of an out-of-scale game, in which the Spring-Summer 2026 Menswear Collection created by Pharrell Williams represented the fusion of modern Indian tailoring and contemporary fashion. The set design is the result of a reflection on the multiple sensibilities of contemporary Indian clothing, where fabrics, cuts, colors, and craftsmanship are in close contact with the city, but also with nature and the energy of the sun.
Photo credits: LOUIS VUITTON MEN’S SPRING-SUMMER 2026 SHOW © Louis Vuitton – All rights reserved
