Grand prix de Paris Louis Vuitton 1989

Created for the prestigious Grand Prix de Paris held at Longchamp Racecourse on 25 June 1989, this original poster by Razzia (Gérard Courbouleix-Dénériaz) perfectly encapsulates the elegance, luxury and timeless sophistication associated with both Louis Vuitton and the world of thoroughbred racing.

Rather than depicting the excitement of the race itself, Razzia offers an unexpected and refined composition. Seen from behind, a ceremonial guardsman in a scarlet tunic and towering bearskin cap gazes across the immaculate lawns of Longchamp towards the distant racecourse. The restrained perspective creates an atmosphere of anticipation and quiet grandeur, allowing the viewer to become a participant in the spectacle rather than merely an observer.

The artist's characteristic Art Deco-inspired style is unmistakable. Large areas of luminous colour, simplified forms and impeccable composition evoke the elegance of 1930s fashion illustration while remaining thoroughly contemporary. The vast blue sky, immaculate green turf and bold silhouette of the guardsman create a striking balance between monumentality and minimalism.

Throughout the 1980s, Louis Vuitton commissioned Razzia to create a series of iconic posters celebrating travel, sporting events and the maison's enduring connection to refinement and the French art de vivre. His sophisticated visual language became closely associated with the brand, helping redefine luxury advertising through imagery that favoured atmosphere and storytelling over overt commercialism.

The Grand Prix de Paris, first contested in 1863, remains one of France's most prestigious horse races. Hosted at the historic Hippodrome de Longchamp, it has long attracted an international audience of racing enthusiasts, collectors and members of high society. Louis Vuitton's sponsorship further reinforced the event's reputation as a celebration of elegance, craftsmanship and tradition.

One particularly charming detail of this composition is the reference at the bottom of the poster announcing the participation of Her Majesty The Queen of England's Irish Guards Band, adding an additional ceremonial dimension and subtly linking French sporting prestige with British pageantry.

Today, Razzia's original Louis Vuitton posters are among the most desirable examples of late twentieth-century advertising art. Combining impeccable graphic design, luxurious subject matter and limited original printings, they appeal equally to collectors of fashion, travel, equestrian memorabilia and contemporary poster art.

Elegant, understated and instantly recognisable, this original Grand Prix de Paris Louis Vuitton poster stands as one of Razzia's finest achievements, celebrating the enduring relationship between luxury, tradition and timeless French style.

Original Poster

Fashion - Horse Riding

Longchamp - Haute Couture

With the participation of the Irish Guard Music of Her Majesty The Queen of England - Givenchy Fragrance

Good condition