How fashion houses are inspired by heritage for their Cruise 2025 collections

The Dior collection pays homage to the rich textile heritage and centuries-old crafts of Scotland. Photo: Dior

What are the Resort, Cruise, Pre-Spring and Holiday seasons in fashion? Well, they are all pretty much the same thing.

Highsnobiety.com defines all of the above as monikers for the “interchangeable fashion jargon to describe the same pre-collection that comes after Autumn/Winter clothes have gone on sale but before Spring/Summer clothes have been delivered to stores”.

In the past, designers would produce capsule collections of breezy fabrics, sun hats, swimwear and easy, comfy footwear for the rich and famous to bring on holiday in the summer.

Nowadays, because not everyone goes on vacation during this period, brands also include apparel for colder climates for various holiday destinations, as well as to cater to consumers who travel all year round.

Cruise season typically begins in mid-November to take advantage of the Thanksgiving break in the US, and stays in stores all the way to Christmas.

Many brands put together collections for Cruise without a runway show, releasing a look book and images to the media, but it’s the big brands with all their fanfare that garner the most attention.

Here’s a breakdown of the trends from the biggest Cruise shows.

Imaginative realms

The runway show for Dior’s Cruise 2025 collection gave us strong Outlander vibes, with models wearing looks crafted with tartan fabrics and leather detailing used for various purposes including belts, boots and bracelets.

Creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri put together a collection that was unveiled in Scotland, on the grounds of the Drummond Castle, an architectural and historical treasure trove.

The show celebrated the rich textile heritage and centuries-old crafts of the unique country, with the figure of Mary Stuart featured throughout the line.

The emblematic tartan sublimated kilts and combined numerous colours, and each look revealed contrasting elements, such as the various textures of materials like velvet and lace.

Conceived in a range of lengths, wool dresses were paired with jackets and coats that borrowed iconic fabrics and rigorous cuts from men’s tailoring.

In inventive choreography which revisited various eras, the convergence of past, present and future sent fashion lovers at the show on a fascinating voyage.

Read more: From Barcelona to Shanghai, celebrities flock to the Cruise 2025 runway shows

Innovate design with a tribute to heritage

Short leather coats are a key piece as seen at Gucci's show. Photo: AP

Gucci’s story began in 1897, when its founder Guccio Gucci worked as a luggage porter and liftboy in London’s The Savoy hotel.

As a tribute to a time when he carried guests’ luggage for a living – which would inspire him to establish his leather goods house in 1921 in Florence – the brand’s recent Cruise 2025 show was held in London.

The event, which took place at the riverside Tate Modern gallery, paid homage to Gucci’s connection to the British capital and the integral role the city has played in shaping the brand’s narrative throughout its storied history.

Structured outerwear (caban coats and jackets) were paired with mixed-wash denim pants and pussy bow blouses.

Models walked down the runway in horse-bit ballerina flats and leather short coats in vibrant hues, while menswear featured workwear-inspired pieces and oversized bomber jackets.

Creative director Sabato De Sarno’s collection also included intricate detailing on jeans in the form of threaded hanging beads and floral embroidery.

An expression of tradition

Fluid draping is designed for holidays in warmer climates and takes inspiration from Spanish elements. Photo: Louis Vuitton

Showcased at the Unesco World Heritage site, Park Guell in Barcelona, Louis Vuitton’s 2025 Cruise collection is steeped in the flourishing culture of Spain.

A throwback to a time when travelling was an art form, when people immersed themselves in what made their chosen holiday destination special, the show itself was a journey of discovery.

A homage to opulent purity, the Maison’s spirit embraced Spain’s passionate character in the form of fluid draping and sharp tailoring.

Nicolas Ghesquiere’s collection included apparel and accessories which featured fringe, ruffles, embroidery and other elements of Spanish culture.

Tiered skirts and dresses were aplenty, while structured blazer dresses complemented with wide-brimmed hats were also included in the collection.

Read more: Go big or go home? How one fashion house is doubling down on minimalism instead

Holiday by the sea

Tweed check pieces in pastels and greys, as well as grid patterns are also seen at Chanel. Photo: AFP

Chanel’s Cruise 2025 show took place on the roof terrace of Le Corbusier’s emblematic Cite Radieuse building in the beautiful port city of Marseille, France.

The collection imagined by Virginie Viard (her last collection for Chanel) combined an underwater reverie with reflections of the sun through embroideries, diving hoods, sequinned jackets and swimwear.

Loopy open-work knits were featured heavily, along with athletic-infused looks such as a sweatshirt paired with a bright green tweed jacket.

Black slippers which look like they were inspired by scuba shoes were worn by models, as well as ballet shoes.

More tweed check pieces in pastels and greys, as well as grid patterns were shown alongside ruffles and delicate patchwork lace dresses.