Altar egos Vuitton mixes the pomp of Conclave with festival chic

The pageantry and drama of the papacy is very much on trend. Hot on the heels of white smoke at the Vatican and the success of the film Conclave, the gothic Palais des Papes in Avignon, the home of popes in the 14th century, hosted a Louis Vuitton catwalk, the first fashion show in its 700-year history.

- Jess Cartner-Morley

There was no shortage of pomp and ceremony in the central courtyard of Europe's largest medieval structure, where 400 chairs were ranked tightly for Brigitte Macron, Cate Blanchett, Pharrell Williams, a clutch of celebrities making a post-Cannes film festival detour and a select few of Louis Vuitton's richest clients.

In a preview, designer Nicolas Ghesquière said the collection was part Arthurian legend, part Haim sisters on stage. (Danielle and Este Haim were in the audience; the medieval ghosts perhaps watching from within the walls.) "There is something medieval, for sure, but something futuristic too. This is armour, but for now."