Virgil Abloh Looks to Functionality for Louis Vuitton's Celebratory 2054 Collection
Sportswear seems to be the leading note of the second instalment of the LV2054 collection - presented as part of pre-Spring 2021 - methods used for the collection run similar to those used in professional ski-wear. Abloh's clothes that have been designed as part of the LV2054 line accommodate for all different seasons and climates; from a temperature drop at the mountain top to running up-hill surrounded by woodlands in an upland forest.
LV2054 is Louis Vuitton's luxury lifestyle line, that takes main inspiration for its designs from performance and technology. Identifiable by its own unique branding, separative from the classic LV logo, LV2054 features three-dimensional Louis Vuitton logos and a trompe l'oeil take on the classic monogram. The name itself is a purposeful take on looking towards the future to unite the present century of the luxury fashion house with its birth year: 1854. This creative play on branding is a salute to the house's two-hundredth year: Louis Vuitton 2054.
Noting the importance of colour used to create sport-wear and its known visibility techniques and patterns, Abloh has paid closed attention to how different shades are used to promote health and safety practises for different garments used in various sports. Green and black prints have been used to evoke the luminosity of night vision, while multi-coloured patterns are used to replicate the infrared effects of heat vision. The luxury house's creative director has also designed a two-way reversible leather parka that's adorned with a 3-D printed pattern which doubles as texture and a jacket that's covered in so many zips; it enables the wearer to transform the piece into multiple different garments, taking the supermarket concept of 'buy one get one free' to a new level. Following the idea of reversible additions, Abloh has also designed a shirt that compresses itself into a cross-body bag - making sure functionality remains at the core of the collection.