After eight months of the tragic and shocking death of Virgil Abloh, the industry is still not ready to let go all his imaginary and the Menswear Department of Louis Vuitton outdid themselves in a runway show in memory of one of the greatest designers of the last decades. Reflecting all the ideas that Virgil worked through the years in the collection he did for the established brand, the team of designers has come with a refreshing runway that reflect the essence of Virgil, called abloh-isms.
The setting was inspired by the Wizard of Oz, a constant theme in past collection by the designer. In special they mirrored the golden path that the main characters followed to get to the green city in the movie. In this space, placed in the Louvre, the show started with a university march band from Florida to get the public into an American mind. After the marvelous music that they provided, the models started walking out and Kendrick Lamar gave an amazing performance with songs from his latest album from his own seat. An amazing casting was also selected, so it was a great show just by looking at it.
The Louis Vuitton SS23 Menswear created oneiric garments recycling Virgil’s ideas, centered around childhood and how men can be colorful and bold in their looks just playing like kids with clothing. A mix of streetwear with formalwear were represented by wonderful models that give a strong energy of community.
Some of the pieces played with three-dimensional parts and others with transparencies and weird but flattering cuts. Sneakers all the way as always, but an incredible collection of sunglasses and hats. The suit with paper airplanes all over it is a direct reference to some of Virgil Abloh work but especially to the Instagram post that the designer updated after hosting his first LV show, where he was seen with an paper airplane saying in the caption that everyone should follow their dreams. A floral theme served as an end of an era with three looks that made a perfect metaphor of the beauty that Virgil has provided to the industry and how we need to thank him for it.
Alvaro Ramos
