FW19 Louis Vuitton by Virgil Abloh Mohair Flag Knitted Sweater

Virgil Abloh’s sophomore collection at the Louis Vuitton maison questioned our perceptions of menswear, and more specifically, what makes a man. Using Michael Jackson as an artistic muse, the set paid homage to the infamous ‘Billie Jean’ music video, featuring a live performance from dancer Alton Mason. Militaristic insignia, white gloves and tippy toed graphics broke up the heavily tailored runway, while celebrating the late artist’s career. In spite of such, Abloh strayed from Louis Vuitton’s strict normality, unleashing puffer jackets, tropes of punk and cargo pockets just about everywhere. Models wore full length skirts and tribal prints, being the only outlier among a hue of purples, greys and whites - a Jackson signature. In all, the collection turned heads as Abloh strayed from Louis Vuitton’s age old ethos, but remains a defining moment in his four year reign.

 

The grunge movement was a direct rebellion from the heights of haute couture, making a piece like the mohair flag knit quite a progressive parallel. Popularized by Vivienne Westwood throughout the 1970’s, the loose-knit textile holds massive cultural significance atop a runway of Louis Vuitton’s stature. Abloh uses a monochromatic mohair textile to depict the American flag, interlocking contrasting shades to do so. A thick collar is complimented by the seemingly released hems, and finalized with a draping cut. In great condition, tagged as an oversized small, fitting a medium.