Louis Vuitton ventures into the American West for its Men's Fall/Winter 2024 collection
Louis Vuitton ventures into the American West for its Men's Fall/Winter 2024 collection, featuring hand-painted designs, intricate embroidery, and precious gemstones that pay homage to the region's heritage.
Louis Vuitton's exploration of the American West in its latest menswear collection is a testament to the brand's commitment to travel, exploration, and craftsmanship. Presented by Pharrell Williams at Paris Fashion Week, the collection pays homage to the origins of workwear and craftsmanship techniques intrinsic to the American West. Against the backdrop of a reflective metallic house at the Jardin d'Acclimatation, models showcased pieces laden with cowboy iconography, designed in collaboration with Native American artists, including accessories by artists from the Dakota and Lakota nations, under the direction of creative director Dee Jay Two Bears of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
The collection's centerpiece was the incorporation of classic American Western wardrobe staples, such as denim, blanket coats, and work boots, reimagined through Louis Vuitton's exceptional tailoring techniques. Work boots, created in collaboration with iconic American brand Timberland, received a Louis Vuitton interpretation, resulting in ten shoe designs rich in the cultural influences of both brands and masterfully crafted with eye-catching details like Louis Vuitton monogram-adorned eyelets and tongue pendants in luxurious gold.
Texture played a pivotal role in the collection, with sharply tailored suits juxtaposed against soft suede and lustrous leather, starch-stiffened denim, and subtle shearling trims. The use of layers, including crisp white button-downs adorned with classic bolo ties, fringed leather coats, and denim in various forms, added depth and dimension to the looks. The color palette drew inspiration from the American West landscape, featuring rich, warm brown and orange tones alongside stark white and black hues.
Louis Vuitton also introduced new interpretations of its classic bags, incorporating hand-embroidered and hand-painted motifs symbolizing nature and the Earth's elements. The iconic Speedy bag, created in collaboration with artists from the Dakota and Lakota nations, featured hand-embroidered Dakota flower motifs, while Keepall bags were adorned with hand-painted three-parfleche and Topa designs, signifying the four winds of the Earth.
Inspired by Pharrell's native rural Virginia and classic cowboy iconography, the collection celebrated the smallest of details, with pieces featuring embroidered botanical patterns, swirling paisley motifs, and turquoise beading. Traditional outdoor styles, designed to withstand natural conditions like wind, weather, and intense sun, were enriched by lush artistic details, embracing the concept of the American Dandy described in the show notes. This fusion of Pharrell's background and inspiration with Louis Vuitton's ornamental roots resulted in a collection that seamlessly melded tradition with innovation.
