A DARING DUALITY

Exuding a glamorous eighties vibe, Louis Vuitton’s spring/summer 2017 collection for women has Paris as its muse.Peter Zewet reports from Shanghai

glamorous venue for a press presentation of Louis Vuitton’s spring/summer 2017 collection for women. Fashion editors from all over the region got to see the collection, up close and personal. In tune with the spirit of travel that is synonymous with the House of Louis Vuitton, Artistic Director Nicolas Ghesquière chose Paris as the inspiration for his latest creations.

Paris represents a certain duality with the fashion sense of Right Bank vs. Left Bank of the River Seine, which cuts through the city. The Right Bank, where the city’s big businesses are mostly located, traditionally represents a more upscale and sophisticated style of dressing. The Left Bank, which is historically known as the artistic part of Old Paris, represents a more edgy and casual style. This duality is captured in the collection with looks that feature sharp suits as well as fluid dresses.

Employing a play of daring cut-outs and well-placed slits, the power suits and dresses in the collection were fashion forward. While the silhouette can both be fitted or loose, the shoulders are strong and accentuated, reminiscence of eighties’ power dressing-chic code. Dress length varied from short to long ones, and tailored suits were presented with options of pants or skirt.

Flashes of green, blue and mustard yellow gold accented the colour palette, but dominating the collection were black, white and grey. A graphic play of black and white were also exhibited in polka dots and checkerboard prints on tops, dresses and suits. Beading were also much used to detail the collection especially on a number of long sheer dresses. The generous sprinkles of crystals and glitter that beautifully decorated a series of long dresses radiated a new sense of disco glam.