The Louis Vuitton AW17 show took place today inside the Louvre Museum; in the Cour Marly to be exact, underneath the world-famous glass pyramid. This area is home to an exceptional ensemble of sculptures by leading artists of the 17th and 18th centuries including the Fountains of the Nymph, Amphitrite and Diana, and the sculpture group of Daphne and Apollo. The great hall is specifically designed to bathe the sculptures in natural light, akin to their original setting in the country residence of Louis XIV.
These sculptures were made a key feature of the show today, as they were lit up rhythmically in time with the music (‘Pyramids’ by Frank Ocean; a very apt choice) as the models weaved their way down the stairs and through the seated onlookers.
The show began with lots of layering of separates; silk dresses layered over trousers and underneath sleek black leather coats, fur gilets and coats in natural colours of brown and black thrown over zip up tops and trousers. There was definitely an air of biker-chic among the pieces, eluded to in the panelling and rings round the arms of some of the fitted jackets. There was also an outright black and red leather biker jacket with chains draped across the front and cinched in at the waist with a belt. Belts and chains were used several times; the former to create shape and the latter to drape around trousers to create interest and draw the eye.
Half way through the show, Nicolas Ghesquière changed tack and moved his cool girl into the evening. The looks got more high shine and skin exposing. There were short flippy dresses in metallic checks, one with an asymmetric one shoulder neckline and all styled with chunky ankle boots to stop them looking too girly.
The final dresses had a distinct nightwear vibe, with silky patches of fabric intersected by lace strips and cut-outs, much like traditional night slips, and with beautiful metallic floral prints. However, the looks were made tough by styling with low-heeled knee high boots and protective cropped fur capes in some cases.
It was a spectacular setting in which the cool girls of Louis Vuitton could close out Paris Fashion Week with a bang.
