Story | Leslie Yip Boucher-Harris Photography | Louis Vuitton
It may seem like a bold pivot, but Louis Vuitton has always had beauty in its DNA. From the very first trunks designed in 1854, created not only for endurance but for elegance, to bespoke perfume cases and vanity boxes in the early 20th century, the Maison has long explored the rituals of refinement. Now, with the official debut of La Beauté Louis Vuitton, this legacy takes centre stage.
Louis Vuitton launches a new make-up line, with lipstick pouches, miniature vanity cases and blotting paper wallets in their signature monogram.
A Legacy Comes Full Circle
La Beauté, a collection of exquisitely crafted lipsticks, balms and eyeshadows, is more than just a makeup line. each product is a keepsake designed to be worn and treasured, echoing the heritage of trunk-making and couture-level craftsmanship that defines Louis Vuitton.
The debut collection includes lipsticks and hydrating tinted balms in 55 curated shades, each infused with both aesthetic and emotional resonance. Every detail, from colour payoff to packaging, has been conceived to evoke beauty as a ritual and an art form.
At the helm of this beauty debut is legendary makeup artist Dame Pat McGrath, DBE, who has been appointed Creative Director, Cosmetics. Known for shaping runway trends and editorial aesthetics for over three decades, McGrath brings a fearless, expressive energy to the new beauty universe. Her long-standing collaborations with Louis Vuitton fashion now extend into a permanent beauty vision—one that celebrates innovation, emotion and empowerment.
A Louis Vuitton toiletry case made for Polish composer Jan Paderewski in 1925 is now part of the Maison’s archives— proof that beauty has long travelled with Vuitton.
“This is not about makeup alone,” McGrath has said. “It’s about identity, about telling a story through colour and form, just as Louis Vuitton always has through design.”
The Language of Lips
The heart of La Beauté is LV rouge, a luxurious lipstick collection spanning 55 shades—a poetic nod to the roman numerals for Louis Vuitton. But this is more than numerical symbolism. each colour, handpicked by Pat McGrath, reflects her deep understanding of skin tones, style and emotional storytelling.
These shades are available in two sophisticated finishes, with universal shades that enhance every complexion while maintaining rich pigment and comfort. There are 27 creamy satins which are luminous, hydrating and effortlessly wearable, and 28 velvety mattes that are rich, sculptural and high impact. The textures invite play—layer them, mix finishes, or make a bold statement with a single swipe.
The formulation blends makeup artistry with skincare sensibility. An 85-percent skincare base includes natural waxes from upcycled rose, jasmine and mimosa, alongside shea butter and hyaluronic acid for eight-hour colour wear and 12-hour hydration. Also, for the first time, fragrance enters the makeup ritual. In collaboration with master perfumer Jacques cavallier Belletrud, each lipstick carries a scent composed of mimosa, jasmine and rose—a nod to the house’s Les Fontaines Parfumées atelier in Grasse.
Soft Focus, Sheer Elegance
If LV rouge is the power suit, then LV Baume is the cashmere sweater: soft, soothing and quietly elegant. These 10 sheer glow shades offer lips a more subtle finish, with buildable tints and a nourishing skincare base.
Infused with shea butter and hyaluronic acid, the formula delivers 48 hours of hydration and 24 hours of comfort. The collection is meant for everyday luxury, and three hero shades perfectly capture its spirit:
• Monogram Touch: A sheer take on the iconic Rouge Monogram
• Tender Bliss: A whisper of pink pearl and sparkle
• Rose Essential: A light rosewood tint with understated polish
These balms offer more than a hint of colour—they offer mood, ease and effortlessness. They melt into lips with a sensorial texture, enhancing your natural colour and leaving a luminous finish with every application. It also offers a kiss of scent: a fresh mint and raspberry profile that is elegant, unexpected and wholly wearable.
Eyes That Speak Volumes
La Beauté’s LV ombres brings a new visual vocabulary to the eyes. The collection features eight expertly composed palettes, each with four shades that invite endless experimentation.
Monogram Rouge, for both lip and eye, is a nod to Vuitton’s heritage while painting the future in bold tones
Each palette is elevated by thoughtful formulation. Three tones ground the palette in wearability, while one bold, unexpected hue adds artistic flair—a signature Pat McGrath touch. Whether ultra-matte or high-shine glitter, the finishes allow for layering, sculpting, or all-out drama.
Hero palettes include:
• Harmonie 896 Monogram Rouge: Burnished red meets monogram brown and caramel
• Harmonie 150 Beige Memento: Inspired by the rich patina of heritage VVN leather
• Harmonie 250 Nude Mirage: Ethereal rose-tinted neutrals with luminous elegance
Using LV Pigment originals and Light-Up Technology, the shadows are rich in payoff and shimmer, while plant-derived squalane and camelina oil extract ensure smooth application and second-skin comfort.
The Art of The Companion
Beauty now travels in style. Inspired by a 1920s Art Deco vanity designed by Pierre-Émile Legrain, La Beauté’s Vanity Trunk is Louis Vuitton’s modern masterpiece. A dressing table disguised as luggage, it merges the Maison’s trunk-making heritage with McGrath’s backstage essentials.
“A Gift or Good Manners…”: an advertisement published in Femina in November 1922.
A 1922 illustration of Pierre-Émile Legrain’s custom dressing table for Louis Vuitton—a blend of Art Deco genius and Maison craftsmanship.
Built like Vuitton’s iconic luggage, the trunk houses drawers, mirrors and compartments for the entire La Beauté range—from lipsticks to brushes. Designed for discerning collectors and friends of the Maison, this piece bridges artistry with motion.
Crafted for the woman on the move, Louis Vuitton’s new Vanity Trunk blends old-world craftsmanship with modern-day indulgence.(Photo: Steven Meisel)
Design That Endures
Louis Vuitton’s pursuit of beauty is not only skin deep. Designed by industrial designer Konstantin grcic, each La Beauté object is a minimalist sculpture—functional, refillable and meant to last. The engraved monogram bullets and floral motif locking system reflect Vuitton’s dedication to sustainability and luxury in equal measure.
