Just now, following Monaco, Palm Springs, and a trip to Rio last May, Louis Vuitton has unveiled its early spring 2018 resort collection in Japan.
The show, which opened at the I.M. Pei-designed Mixiu Art Museum in southeastern Kyoto, was inspired by the clash of Japanese and Western cultures, evolving from tradition to modernity.
In the past two early spring shows, Louis Vuitton teamed up with architects John Lautner and Oscar Niemeyer, and this time the show was still full of architectural inspiration, Nicolas Ghesquiere, artistic director of the Louis Vuitton women's collection, chose to open the show in the Ieoh Ming Pei-designed Mixiu Art Museum in southeast Kyoto, which turned into a mysterious tunnel hidden in the mountains, both natural and futuristic.
The evolution from traditional to modern became the theme of the early spring collection. Samurai, traditional carvings, ink landscape, ceremonial attire and the shadow of martial arts Kendo...... Full of ubiquitous Japanese elements, it even evokes Kurosawa's cinematic drama aesthetic or Kitano's mournful scenes.
This season, Louis Vuitton's urban trousers and layered tunics are full of Katsushika Hokusai ukiyo-e style. Nicolas Ghesquiere's sweatshirt, woven in a mixture of knitted and leather fabrics, was inspired by Japanese armor, while the delicate fabric used in the ankle trousers came from the exquisite kimono obi. The evening dress at the end shone with the brilliant light of traditional drama.
For accessories, bags and handbags are adorned with antique kabuki masks.
This release, also invited actresses Fukushima Lila and Bae Douna will be the opening and closing of the fashion show.
Speaking of Japan, in fact, Louis Vuitton has a long history with Japan since the end of the 19th century, do you know?
The MONOGRAM pattern is inspired by the ancient Japanese emblem design; Of course, Louis Vuitton also has crossover collaborations with famous Japanese contemporary artists such as Takashi Murakami, Yayoi Kusama, Rei Kawakubo and, most recently, Hiroshi Fujiwara.
"I know Japan very well. About 20 years ago, looking for inspiration, I saw Japan as one of my top travel destinations."
This season Nicolas Ghesquiere also paid tribute to Kansai Yamamoto, using his design as inspiration, in fact, before the opening of the show, Louis Vuitton released a visual image of the collaboration with Yamamoto.
Yamamoto Kanisai, who was active in the 1970s and 1980s, is a legendary designer who can perfectly combine European and American culture with Japanese Noh drama culture.
That year, he was the first to bring his work to the fashion shows in Paris, France, opening the international road for a whole generation of Japanese designers.
He was David Bowie's go-to designer, designing the clothes he wore during the Ziggy Stardust era - an important piece of fashion history, from the striped jumpsuit on vinyl to the capes that read "Out of the fire" (Bowie's Kanji name).
This early spring series of invitations, the painting style is both traditional and interesting.
Including the new Twist handbag details also has a strong Japanese culture.
This time, Yamamoto created a variety of logos, symbols and decorative patterns for Louis Vuitton's clothes and bags.
Louis Vuitton presents its early spring collection at the Mixiu Art Museum in southeastern Kyoto. The peach-like museum was created by the last master of modern architecture, I. M. Pei, who designed the Louvre and its glass pyramid in Paris. Mixiu Art Museum was founded in 1997 by Mihideko Koyama (1910-2003) in the picturesque Shinakucho mountains of Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
The gallery, nestled in a secluded valley, is otherworldly with its majestic metal passageways and futuristic overhung Bridges. "The museum was an instant inspiration for me," explains Nicolas Ghesquiere. "After the desert of Palm Springs and the beaches of Rio, I wanted to present a completely different landscape and immerse everyone in a sea of green."
In terms of architectural design, presentation style and exhibits, the Meixiu Art Museum, which was built under the leadership of I.M. Pei, exhibits the highest standards of Japanese art as well as ancient art from various civilizations. It was also the first fashion show ever to be hosted at the Mixiu Art Museum.
