Louis Vuitton Men's S/S '19
Within the gardens of the Domaine du Palais Royal, a gradient rainbow runway signalled the new vision of Virgil Abloh. Uniting the Maison’s tradition of travel and luxury with a global message of positivity, Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Ready-to-Wear Artistic Director proposed a collection complete with reimagined contemporary silhouettes, leather goods and accessories.
Beginning with the opening looks in layers of white, the line-up continued as a representation of light refracted through a prism – a spectrum not just of colour but also design possibilities.
Relaxed tailoring maintained a strong presence as the constant between comfortable day looks and formal attire. Harnesses and vests featuring an archive pocket design embodied Abloh’s idea of “accessomorphosis” whereby an accessory becomes a garment, thus evolving its function.
Streetwear silhouettes took on elevated new forms through an exact twist of three-percent from their original shape. The iconic Keepall became dynamically revisited in transparent and iridescent monogram surfaces, or else in all-over white, ruby red and emerald leathers – each bag boasting an enlarged chain strap.
As models from around the world walked the runway in LV Skate trainer boots, formal derbies studded with LV hardware, and vintage LV Runner trainers, they evoked Abloh’s ideal of the Yellow Brick Road, Dorothy’s path of discovery and otherworldly escape.
Scenes from the film appear integrated into embroidered knitwear and printed outwear, in addition to the final silver leather poncho with commemorative Louis Vuitton and Wizard of Oz beaded patches. This was Abloh’s story of a dream made real, and the future is bright.