The Luxury Of Normalcy

Virgil Abloh defines the new normal way to dress well through Louis Vuitton’s Pre-Fall 2021 collection, and in so doing, reflects on the present and future of luxury fashion

- Amos Chin

LUXURY FASHION harks back to the time of ancient kings when ostentation was a language reserved for royalty and their entourages. Over the centuries, that idea necessarily evolved along with the course of history and the rise of the common folk. Up until now, however, one constant factor remains: luxury fashion is still desirable as a way to distinguish oneself in the sartorial and social stakes.

If you think about it, luxury fashion has become more democratic in this century than it has ever been, as luxury houses move beyond ornamental ostentation to put functionality onto the plate. It has moved past merely challenging status quos and experimenting. It is now innovating to serve in practical ways, all the while maintaining a keen eye for what is exquisite.