Louis Vuitton has once again captured global attention with its unconventional approach to luxury design. This time, the spotlight is on a handbag modeled after India’s iconic auto rickshaw — and it comes with an eye-watering price tag of approximately ₹35 lakh.
The handbag, part of the brand’s Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection, was revealed during a re-see session, not on the official runway.
Styled to resemble a classic Indian auto rickshaw, the designer piece features three wheels, handlebars, and the trademark yellow canopy — all crafted with Louis Vuitton’s signature monogram canvas and camel-toned leather detailing.
While the fashion house is known for its avant-garde creations — including bags shaped like planes, lobsters, and dolphins — this particular design has generated mixed reactions for its unmistakable cultural reference.
Louis Vuitton’s nod to India goes beyond accessories. At its Summer 2025 menswear show in Paris, creative director Pharrell Williams spotlighted Indian culture with a rich visual and musical tribute. From a specially composed Punjabi track by A.R. Rahman to cricket-inspired fashion and a runway set designed by India’s Bijoy Jain, the show positioned India not just as inspiration, but as an active creative partner.
Yet the autorickshaw bag stood out for its unmistakable cultural reference, prompting discussion about whether it represented cultural appreciation or yet another example of fashion’s appropriation of Eastern motifs.
