Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2011: An Ode to the happy camper
While minimalism seems to have become a staple in every fashion week season, one can always trust Marc Jacobs to cook up something that will immediately stand out and encourage many to rethink their own style sensibility. For the recently-concluded Paris Fashion Week, he managed to bring forth a more cheerful and optimistic mood that was anything but somber or severe. Camp was the buzzword at the Carre du Louvre on the last day of PFW and many agree that it only seemed fitting to close the season on a high Louis Vuitton note.
The Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2011 collection is what the quintessential party girl would want for a wardrobe. Taking inspiration from art deco and the Far East ‘20s, Jacobs put together a collection that once again reminds us of what fashion essentially is fun. Metallic fringes, tiers, bright monograms and eye-popping color blocks in magenta, yellow and blue express the animated temperament that has long been missed on the style front. Oriental elements such as cheongsams and high collar Mandarin jackets are reminiscent of a sophisticated and modern Shanghai during the ‘20s (also notably a period when the city was often referred to as “Paris of the East”). One might even add that it creates a theatrical feel as if to relive scenes from In the Mood For Love.
Adding to the jovial tone of the collection are slits to go high up the thighs, plunging necklines and unrestrained doses of sequins and rhinestones on both the clothes and next season’s LV patent bags. The distinctive LV monogram was also spotted embroidered onto see-through lace skirts and slinky hot pants, which many are sure to be integrating into their wardrobes in the coming season. On here, we are seeing many disco influences that never fail to bring out a sense of adventure even among the tamest of us.
Speaking of tame, there were strong nods to the wild through vivid animal prints giraffe, zebra, tiger and even Panda that were ever-present to further highlight the celebratory vibe proposed by the French luxury fashion house. All these elements were perfectly anchored by the imposing black faux marble runway, disco-inspired fringe curtains and what seemed to have been the stars of the show, stuffed tigers poised on stage.
Decadence was the order of the day at Louis Vuitton and there was no arguing that Jacobs’ latest fashion proposition a complete anti-thesis to the restrain and subtleness of many seasons past was the most fitting tribute to the frivolous and fantastical nature of fashion.
