Abloh Honors Michael Jackson in Louis Vuitton's FW19 Collection
Accompanied by Michael Jackson cover songs playing in the background.
The much-anticipated follow-up to Virgil Abloh’s Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2019 debut is unlikely to disappoint fans of the iconoclastic designer, and may even convert some previous skeptics. For Fall/Winter 2019, Abloh delivered a selection of looks that channeled the spirit of pre-‘00s urban style — boxy suits, graffiti, bright prints, and big cargo pants — updated with undeniable craftsmanship and gender-refuting styling.
Across a rich color palette of washed-out blues, reds and greys, Abloh showcased a variety of billowing silhouettes centered around simple, oversized layers. Enormous textile puffer jackets were emblazoned with embossed monograms, playfully cropped blazers boast exaggerated, blown-out silhouettes and comparatively trim trench coats reached below the knee, with crocodile leather and fur fabrics underlining the premium designs.
The much-hyped Michael Jackson influences were treated with surprising nuance, with more overt nods coming by way of white gloves and a print of MJ’s loafers in mid-lean. More subtle nods included revamped American flag motifs, a possible nod to Jackson’s “United We Stand” performance in 2001, with the draping flag repurposed into long shirts and flowing skirts.
Chunky military-inspired badges adorned bulky fleece outerwear, another subtle nod, this time to one of Jackson’s Bad-era costumes. Purple-drenched separates were informed by Prince as much as the King of Pop — the Purple One was originally intended to appear on Bad‘s title track — while new variations of Abloh’s favored basketball sneakers were abetted by louche loafers; another Jackson favorite.
Check out the looks above and watch the full runway presentation below.
Most recently, LV debuted its ultra-premium “Horizon” earphones.
