Louis Vuitton raises Los Angeles' fashion profile

Luxury brand Louis Vuitton lured a bevy of stars to the California desert to see its latest cruise collection by Nicolas Ghesquiere - further evidence of the Los Angeles area's rise on the world fashion scene.

An A-list audience of about 500 - from legendary French actress Catherine Deneuve to rapper Kanye West to LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault - trekked to the Bob and Dolores Hope Estate in Palm Springs for the glittering event.

Their hair flowing in the wind, towering models strolled between the chairs set up on the estate's patio, sporting long flared gowns in muted desert hues, with cut-outs at the hips, belts and studs, or lace accents.