Louis Vuitton has unveiled a magnificent new retail space in Shanghai designed to resemble a life-sized ship, combining shopping, dining and cultural exhibitions under one roof. Olivia Palamountain reports

Louis Vuitton has opened an all-encompassing concept store, café and exhibition space in Shanghai called The Louis.

Situated on Wujiang Road in the city's central business district, The Louis draws inspiration from the brand's 19th-century heritage of crafting trunks for transoceanic voyages whilst celebrating Shanghai's maritime culture as the "Gateway to the East".

The extraordinary boat-shaped structure features an elegant prow and hull embellished with a metallic monogram pattern, with upper levels resembling stacked historic trunks. The building houses retail space, Le Café Louis Vuitton, and the new Louis Vuitton Visionary Journeys exhibition.The concept pays homage to Shanghai's rich maritime legacy, which dates back to the 6th century when trade ports like Huating Port and Qinglong Port formed the city's earliest port landscape. Since opening as a treaty port in 1843, Shanghai rapidly emerged as one of China's most prosperous international boating and trade hubs.The Visionary Journeys exhibition, designed by Shohei Shigematsu-OMA, spans two floors and explores Louis Vuitton's heritage through themes of travel, craftsmanship, fashion and innovation. The experience features the signature Trunkscape installation - an otherworldly archway composed of Monogram canvas trunks that serves as a portal into the exhibition.The exhibition includes several themed rooms: Origins showcases heritage pieces from the revolutionary Gris Trianon canvas to Monogram-emblazoned trunks; Voyage explores the poetic dimensions of travel; and sections dedicated to perfume, books, sport and fashion trace the house's evolution.Le Café Louis Vuitton, located on the third floor, offers an East-meets-West menu showcasing "Shanghai style" cuisine. Chefs Leonardo Zambrino and Pastry Chef Zoe Zhou present dishes including "Monogram Raviolis" crafted as Jiaozis and "Caesar Salad Eclipse" with Shanghai Yuja Dressing.The retail space offers women's and men's leather goods, accessories, shoes and travel items. A hot stamping service allows customers to personalise items with Shanghai city, boat and lifestyle stamps.

The exterior terrace provides outdoor seating with an elevated seaside ambiance, whilst subtle allusions to bygone ocean liners are expressed throughout the refined dining areas.The Louis operates Monday to Sunday from 10:00-22:00 at HKRI Taikoo Hui, No. 789 West Nanjing Road, Shanghai. Admission to the exhibition is complimentary, with visitors able to register through the "My LV" WeChat mini programme.