Amid the threat of the Zika virus as well as economic and political turmoil, Louis Vuitton showcased its latest cruise collection in the Brazilian port city Rio de Janeiro on Saturday.

Forty-seven seasoned models paraded the quixotic works from the luxury brand's creative director Nicolas Ghesquière at the Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Niterói at sunset on Saturday. Out of the flying saucer-like building sitting at the tip of a rocky outcrop and romantically overlooking the sea, models gracefully catwalked on the curving spool of crimson concrete runway that spirals down the ground.  

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Ghesquière's collection showed a mixture of sport and athleticism with bold accents and outlandish nostalgic touches. Models came out wearing parachute-silk dresses with capes and wetsuit zippers or silk blouses inspired by the painting Pelé, a masterpiece of Brazilian artists Aldemir Martins.

Models also wore dynamic hybrid shoes that look like flip-flops and mountain boots at the same time. Jackets were thin, light and functional and LV's popular Damier check was transformed into punchy motocross monochrome and styled on leathers and sweaters, FT reported. There were also tracksuit pants, running shorts and a wide selection of boldly colored jersey clothes.

Meanwhile, Louis Vuitton box trunks was transformed into Copacabana beach ghettoblasters with gold hardware and LV monogram, according to The Guardian.

"Tropicality and urbanity were my big themes," Ghesquière said. "Rio is built into this unique landscape, where nature continues to explode in the urbanity. It's a great interaction. I wanted to study what it means to be exotic."

Among those who attended the event are Catherine Deneuve and Brazilian supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio.

Louis Vuitton was first founded in 1854 to help the elite travel in style and comfort.

TagsLouis Vuitton, cruise collection, Brazil, Rio de Jainero, Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Niterói, Nicolas Ghesquière