Pictured above: Kanye West, Zayn Malik and Joe Jonas front row at the Louis Vuitton Men’s Summer 2016 Fashion Show by Artistic Director of Men’s Collections Kim Jones.
It may have taken place in Paris, but Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2016 menswear show was a thoroughly tropical affair.
Under the direction of designer Kim Jones, the house offered up a riot of silky exotica infused with the theme of travel and adventure.
The show opened with a series of slinky, glamorous red and navy bomber jackets and sweatshirts featuring embroidered motifs of exotic birds, flora and fauna. The concept was then developed further in the form of pyjama-like shorts and jackets adorned with elegant Japanese prints (and the brand’s logo).
This oriental grace, which remained one of the linchpins of the collection and was later replicated in softer tones of pinks, blues and greys, then gave way to a more tribal aesthetic with the introduction of geometric stripes printed across square jackets and scarves. Yet it was kept from becoming overbearing by sharp tailoring and sombre trousers; a playsuit featuring three different horizontal patterns across the midsection showed off the wearable look at its most extreme.
A series of camouflage jackets in blues and beiges was teamed with goggle-style sunglasses and bulky backpacks for a jungle-inspired, explorer vibe, before the collection returned to a slicker, sportier aesthetic with slimline silk joggers and chunky sandals the order of the day.
Tailoring was on point throughout the collection, with the pyjama jackets and shorts providing the exception to what was a pretty smart aesthetic overall. Blazers were cut wide while trousers were narrow fitting, with suits livened up by being layered with loud silky shirts.
Accessories also made a bold statement, with models carrying purses, totes and rucksacks to enforce the feeling of this being a collection for the travelling man. Neckties emblazoned with the name of the fashion house left observers in no doubt as to the adventurous nature of the Vuitton man.
Photos Copyright Louis Vuitton / Ludwig Bonnet
