Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2011 RTW Collection
Marc Jacobs has never been one known the do things half-assed. His S/S 2011 RTW collection is a perfect example of Jacobs’ balls-out pizazz. In a sartorial protest to the current season’s love for minimalism, the Louis Vuitton S/S 2011 collection is somewhere in-between minimalist glory, and opulent excess. Taking cues from the Far East and Art Deco periods, the runway was awash with lush animal prints, silks, cheong sams, and sequins. There were still hints of the lady-like silhouettes of Jacobs’ mad-for-Mad-Men prior shows, with a continued emphasis on hour-glass waistlines, but this season it is less constricted Stepford-wife and more relaxed high society reminiscent of the 20s. Necklines are plunging, while boatnecks and high-collared blouses show off sculpted shoulders and collarbones. Skirts are long, flowing, and often have sky-high slits. Floral prints offer an exotic beauty while animal prints are used as highlighting accents, rather than all-over.
Overall the collection is elegant and sophisticated, but not stuffy upper crust. It’s a welcome change, though Jacobs almost veers on cheesy with his uncomfortably close imitation of traditional Chinese clothing; then again, they do say imitation is the highest form of flattery? At least, it’s a collection that you can breathe in.
