Louis Vuitton unveils nautical America’s Cup capsule collection for 37th edition

Louis Vuitton has unveiled a natty and nautical America’s Cup capsule collection timed to celebrate the legendary competition’s 37th edition, which takes sail late August in Barcelona.
 

This Vuitton collection riffs on yachting motifs, deep water ocean gear, sporty chic and sun over the yardarm cocktail hour cool.
 
Vuitton revealed the collection Wednesday lunchtime, eight days before it will stage its next major catwalk spectacular in Barcelona on Thursday, May 23. The capital of Catalonia is the location of the next edition of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup. It debuts with the qualifying tournament to find a challenger to meet the current holder of the America’s Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand in the final. The five challengers this year are: Orient Express Team, France; Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, Italy; Alinghi Red Bull Racing Switzerland, INEOS Britannia, England and America, Magic, New York Yacht Club.

The unisex collection features three separate themes: Riding the Waves for technical pieces; A Day on the Deck for sporty day wear and Elegant Summer Evening for post-yachting.
 

The first includes technical skipper windbreakers and shorts; keep-all bags made in a waterproof canvas; and a water-repellent sailor sling in Monogram Storm, for women. All anchored by a LV Rush sneaker created by Vuitton’s creative director Nicolas Ghesquière for the cruise 2024 collection. For guys, there are new Barracuda sneakers in white with a red and black V logo.
 
Elsewhere, there are playful takes on the Damier and Monogram motifs – from graphic shirt jackets and reversible rainproofs for men, and denim shorts and blazers for women. For after-dark,  one-strap column dresses held up by leather handles for girls, accompanying gents in blazers finished with gold-finish LV buttons.

​The new collection begins retailing on July 18. Prices vary from 210 euro for a tie and 670 euro for a bucket hat, to 4,500 euro for a women’s cocktail dress and 5,100 euro for a men’s blouson with 3D leather detailing.
 

Made primarily in red, white and blue, the collection blends the logo of the America’s Cup with a graphic V, first developed by Gaston-Louis Vuitton, grandson of the founder. Ideal gear for Barcelona this fall.
 
During which, the Louis Vuitton Cup will feature challengers using 23-meter AC75 foiling monohulls, featuring wing-like sailing hydrofoils mounted under the hull, a soft wingsail and no keel. It will take place from August 29 until early October, depending on results. The winning challenger will face Team Emirates from October 12 to 27 in a best of 13 series of races.
 

Louis Vuitton has been a key sponsor for four decades since 1983 of the America’s Cup, the world’s oldest international sporting trophy. This year, Vuitton has upped the ante and become a title partner of this exceptional competition.

The America’s Cup also is known for having the longest winning run in history, 131 years, after American yachts won the first 23 competitions. Before the New York Yacht Club finally succumbed to an Australian II challenger, Royal Perth Yacht Club’s Australia.