It’s no secret that the absolute highlight of my fashion career to date is my attendance at what was quite possibly the most coveted, documented, and narrated show in Fashion Week History. I’m talking about the Louis Vuitton Paris Fashion Week show by Virgil Abloh as the new artistic director of menswear. Sat beside Louis Vuitton Master Perfumer, Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud, I breathed in and was filled with sheer gratitude at the realisation of being at such an event at Jardin de Palais Royal.
After marvelling at the show’s setup, it became time for it to start, I had zero expectations knowing that Virgil’s creativity is limitless and often unpredictable. Sat towards the front of the runway, the excitement that I would be one of the first to see the collection suddenly dawned on me.
To my surprise the first model to grace the runway was Lasha, co-creator at Mains London. This was followed by an onslaught of young black creatives such as artist, Bakar, model Montell Martin, musician Theophilus London, and rapper Playboi Carti. I found myself welling up with pride before the end of the show as it dawned on me that this wasn’t just a show, this was a symbol to all young people pursuing a dream. The show had (literally) become a platform for people that traditionally may have been overlooked or deemed as not fitting to such fashion houses.
This show was Virgil’s reality, a manifestation of his journey, and it was real. This was his wildest dream, and here it was playing out, but rather than bask in the moment alone, he included so many people, to show the world they have something to contribute. To be at a show of such magnitude and see people that you know or can identify with is surreal, and captures the heart of Virgil’s ethos.
Having read and watched his journey, it is clear that he willed this moment to fruition, and the true grit and hardwork was coming full circle right before my eyes. But Virgil did not stop there, not only was inclusivity at the top of his agenda but the collection itself pays homage to those that have come before him by creating a collection heavily based on streetwear. Virgil took a legacy fashion house and turned it on its head, making a collection deeply rooted in what he knows best…streetwear!
From the Louis Vuitton sneakers inspired by the Jordan 5, to the ‘Millionaire’ sunglasses as a tribute to Pharrell and Nigo. Steering away from classical design, he creates a plethora of streetwear influenced pieces, such as the body vest, with an embossed all over Monogram print. Other items include fluorescent holster side-pouches, combat trousers and tactical vests currently popularized in streetwear culture. Ofcourse, everything is made to the highest quality, finished to perfection, and beautifully paired with on-trend silhouettes. Virgil strives to highlight cultural relevance and gives credit to the birthplace of a lot of today’s fashion. Virgil is the fashion industry’s renaissance artist and I believe there are more like him who we can only hope to bear witness to in the coming years. This show was a bold statement to let the fashion industry know that streetwear is here to stay, and its influence is prominent.
He is living proof of the art of the possible and I left this show with a renewed spirit and thirst for more. In just 2 months since the show, I have applied his willingness to push boundaries to my own craft, and the results have been phenomenal! A credit to him for paving the way, hopefully one day I will be able to refer back to this moment having reached a milestone in my career and I wish the same for anyone else who saw that show. To achieve what he has in his career, tells us all that nothing is inaccessible, and you really can do it too.
