LVMH celebrates “France Day” at Osaka World Expo

LVMH celebrated “France Day” at the Osaka World Expo on September 13, joined by internationally-renowned actress Léa Seydoux and Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner, both ambassadors of the France Pavilion. 

The day highlighted the resounding success that LVMH and its partner Maisons have enjoyed at the Pavilion, which has already welcomed over three million visitors since its opening in April. 

With Laurent Saint Martin, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, and a prominent Franco-Japanese delegation in attendance, Léa Seydoux visited the France Pavilion’s permanent exhibition, dedicated to the theme Hymn to Love. Louis Vuitton and Dior have a much-remarked presence in the permanent exhibition featuring stunning artistic installations that showcase their unique savoir-faire and special connections with Japan, while Chaumet has unveiled a dazzling exhibition in the Pavilion’s temporary exhibition space from September 1 to October 13. Entitled An Ode to Living Nature, the exhibition celebrates the vitality of nature through an immersive experience punctuated by Chaumet’s signature naturalist motifs. -

In a tribute to the strong and enduring ties that link France and Japan, the day was marked by an official ceremony bringing together French and Japanese delegations. Several events followed in the afternoon, including a compelling conversation around culture with Minister Delegate Laurent Saint Martin and Japanese video game director Hideo Kojima—creator of Death Stranding 2—and Léa Seydoux, who plays the lead in the game. They were joined by acclaimed Japanese actor Hidetoshi Nishijima. 

The afternoon continued with a judo demonstration by Teddy Riner and members of the French and Japanese judo federations, plus hundreds of young judo practitioners. Afterwards, the Pavilion’s two ambassadors addressed a large audience gathered at the base of the Pavilion’s monumental staircase.  

Their speeches culminated with a symbolic gesture led by Léa Seydoux. A giant Akai Ito—or ‘red thread of destiny’—was woven by Expo visitors themselves, who created a long human chain linking the French and Japanese Pavilions. Léa Seydoux followed this symbolic red thread to greet Noriko Fujiwara, actress and ambassador of the Japan Pavilion, marking a moving moment of fraternity and union. 

France Day concluded with a concert by the band Indochine—their first-ever performance in Japan—attended by more than 1,500 people in the Concert Hall.