Understanding Virgil’s Louis Vuitton

Analysis of Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2019 Mens by Virgil Abloh.
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Check out the complete shownotes for SS19: drive.google.com/drive/folder...

[@sahilmishra2945]

This is probably the only piece of media of this caliber covering Virgil beyond his own interviews

[@connorsc5301]

@Hilma Ivel no one does

[@julioflores318]

I’m in shock, after ignorantly overlooking Virgil for so long as a copy cat designer with very “on the nose” ideas and designs, this video and analysis opened my eyes to the deeper metaphor of some of his work not described or shown by many others, if at all. Thank you so much this experience 🙏🏽

[@BlissFoster]

Wow, that’s a tall compliment, Julio. Thank you 🙏

[@camiller6472]

The show notes alone are so indicative of Virgil's background in Academia and science. His reinterpretation of lab concepts like error analysis and implicit sample bias is a mirror image to his 3% theory. I mean you really could make the argument that his shows are just a lab in motion. The show notes are the brief yet comprehensive introduction to a write up or glossary from any lab manual. He twists these hard, scientific thought processes into just edging into the fashion world. You can really tell he's an engineer and academic by training, and that fuses so firmly into his creative process. It's something that despite my varied opinions on Virgil's work at LV & Off-White, I've always really liked about him as a face in fashion.

[@beybey9130]

Sure

[@FoxMan5639]

This made me happy i read the comments

[@LegitCreations]

what's your instagram?

[@Aleph_Nul]

I swear if Bliss isnt invited to his next show

[@BlissFoster]

🤞😬🤞

[@ifyouweremeforreal]

Will Simmons on god, he might as well he’s the future of explaining the shows to regular people🤷🏿‍♂️🤷🏿‍♂️

[@BlissFoster]

chris damn, that honestly means a ton that you would say that 😭

[@Aleph_Nul]

@@ifyouweremeforreal dude the show notes on grailed are 600$ most people cant get there hands on them anyway

[@BlissFoster]

Will Simmons wat?? Can you link me that?

[@levicohen7333]

You’ve opened my eyes to the true passion and care that Virgil puts into his work. When everyone in the fashion industry shits on him constantly you start to become complicit with the fact that he is a “bad” designer, when in reality he is an excellent curator and has created great shows.

[@BlissFoster]

Strong agree. Thanks for the kind words, Levi 😊

[@lukegray5528]

We have to get the idea or the notion out of our heads that there are bad & good designers ...fashion is art and art is subjective. If you don’t like someone’s designs that’s ok but maybe somebody else loves them.

[@Isaac-wu4sj]

He’s a great creative director, I agree with that. But I feel like a lot of people don’t realize how many people are on the design team for off white and LV. Virgil is very rarely the actual designer behind the clothing. Not hating on the guy but when it comes down to his actual designs I tend to dislike like(example: rain jacket dress worn by Gigi)

[@levicohen7333]

J ADED that’s why I said curator. Virgil is by no stretch of the imagination an excellent “designer”, but he is great at making and sticking to show concepts and choosing the right silhouettes, colors, and prints, etc.

[@emilylucie7502]

this was much needed to redeem any faith in Virgil after that popsmoke cover lol

[@statiq1941]

And it's been lost again

[@leoschautvideos]

@@statiq1941 yeah. I don't get it. This guy knows how to design but then he does this shitty things?

[@theelectricant98]

Facts

[@theelectricant98]

The wsg art was ass too

[@theelectricant98]

@@leoschautvideos maybe it's intentional idk

[@alexopetnik]

Watching this video one day after Virgil's passing gives it a whole new meaning. He had such a large impact on streetwear and we would not be where we are right now without him. Love you Virgil, never forgotten

[@imfromcolorado]

My god that ending made me cry that was so beautiful

[@BlissFoster]

Thank you :) I was really happy with how it came together 🙏

[@kites3357]

I was working on my first creative project when I realized Virgil’s ingenuity. After researching his work, I learned that he built his DNA in the most advanced yet acceptable way, meaning that his (personal) branding is so strong that he can transform literally anything to make it recognizable as his own which is on par with his 3% approach, as you mentioned. As an artist, I noticed that this is far from easy so it made me respect his artistry more. Working on his new vocabulary for the first collection, Virgil asked himself and his team “The problem that we have now in 2018 is everyone owns every type of garment already. What’s our signature twist (3%) in terms of things that you already have in your closet, as to why you would buy it again?” One of these signature twists was the ceramic chain links he added on the accessories. “The chain hearkens to Abloh’s origins in streetwear while offering a sly commentary on the wearer’s enslavement to branded luxury and, in overtly preventing theft, on the desirability of luxury goods.” This is an example on how he builds a strong vocabulary from scratch which is cohesive throughout his collections and instantly recognizable as his own. Here’s a behind-the-scenes video on this. It’s his first day in the office; kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJzKo5eJar6JeLM There was also a Pink Floyd “The Dark side of the Moon” reference with the prism and the rainbow. An idea hit him in the 5 hours that he flew to Paris after his role got announced which was a metaphor of leaving Off-White and hitting the prism of Vuitton and then having access to the full color spectrum. He has also said “No ones a designer anymore, we’re all stylists. Of course there’s new, it’s people that are inventing from zero. I’m more occupied with sort of conceptualizing the past to get to somewhere new.” This concept was actually an architecture movement wich started mid 20th century called postmodernism. It’s clear that his work is heavily influenced from this movement. There’s an Off-White collection named after it. Source; an in depth behind-the-scenes video on the preparations for the first show: vimeo.com/276160345 People judge simply because of ignorance. I read your comment saying that you’re not really with the ‘stan or ban’ mentality at all and that you just try to take art on its own terms, then figure out what’s being said and how it’s saying it. I fully agree with this. It’s rare to find people with this mentality. People like me and you just simply do our research. It’s a shame that most people are sheep and don’t even bother to delve into Virgil’s work because of narratives formed by others. Thank you for this video and for clearing up the ignorance regarding Virgil. I hope you do more of these. Ignorance is bliss 💫

[@BlissFoster]

I truly appreciate you dropping knowledge and some resources for people to dig in further!! This kind of thing is so valuable. Always appreciate your contributions, Kite 🪁🪁

[@kites3357]

Bliss Foster It’s my pleasure 🙏🏾

[@theelectricant98]

I dig that quote about everyone being stylists rather than designers. Been thinking about this regarding sample based music lately too

[@whoisdillion]

Wisdom And Understanding will always be worth more than a million dollars

[@IsaacHP666]

I've been looking for a channel like this for so long! Finally, a fashion channel that actually talks about the art and story of brands and fashion designers rather than people just flashing off how much money they've spent on a new trend.

[@BlissFoster]

Happy to break the mold 😌 But you should look at The Fashion Archive, Haute La Mode, Anthony Deluca, and Loic as well. They all do excellent thoughtful work as well.

[@IsaacHP666]

@@BlissFoster Nice, I will check them out. Thank you !

[@zukovoyiya5359]

This LV spring summer 2019 came out the same time I dropped out of varsity while studying architecture, when I saw Virgil post on his instagram "you can do it too..." it immediately removed any doubts I had about the decision I made... if he sees this (doubtful) I just wanna say Thank You.

[@BlissFoster]

Wow that’s awesome! I’m so glad you took the leap 💫💫

[@MaximeBicard]

Hi! A few more info concerning the show and the collection, as I was working at Vuitton at the time of the Show : My colleague who was working as a textile engineer/buyer, told me that usually men's collection have around three times less different materials than women's. For this collection, in the first two weeks, Virgil had already ordered as many material as a women's show. So by the end he must have had many more, which was quite revolutionary. Regarding the explanation we had prior to the show for the context, the show was supposed to start with black models wearing white clothes, to represent his time at off white. Then, it was supposed to be white models wearing more tailored and colored clothes, to represent the usual customer of LV. And it was supposed to lead to this explosion of colors and textures, materials, that represent him arriving at his position as a creative director. I think in the end it got mixed up a bit in order to present the collection and the products in a certain way but the concept that we were presented was that. Finally, most of the attendance was actually LV's employees. They tried to invite students, and I think there were some, but for security reasons (and also to avoid resell of the invits), it had to be much more limited that originally planned, unfortunately. Hope this is useful for Fashion History!

[@user-zu3mh2oj1w]

Why am I sobbing at the end of this. Bliss you are a prolific and captivating storyteller, this was incredible. Thank you!

[@BlissFoster]

Me too tbh 😭 edited it out bc nobody needs that, but it’s a moving show for sure 💫💫

[@p0vis]

Could Virgil inviting "kids" to his show be seen as a reference to the Martin Margiela S/S 90 show when he invited local kids? That margiela show is seen as game-changing and my guess this LV show will be held to a similar pedestal in the future. In both shows "kids" could signify the generational shift which happened in fashion at the given times.

[@BlissFoster]

YES!! Wow, what an excellent point!!

[@SoundLad123]

This LV will not be ‘held to a similar pedestal’ as the Margiela SS90 show dude, be serious.

[@justusgreen8498]

FCL M haha got em

[@p0vis]

@@SoundLad123 Yeah, there is a chance it will get lost in memory but only time can tell. Lets see in 30 years.

[@SpookyConcepts]

Rest in Peace to one of the greatest. Virigl was the culture. Thank you for sharing your knowledge in this video and your heartfelt message in your Instagram post, Bliss. Virgil did so much more than we will ever truly know, in my opinion

[@harveystokes3455]

I was an intern for LV and I helped make the blue “army long coat” and the green puffa coat collection, great time

[@theelectricant98]

Daaamn that's awesome, what are you up to now?

[@tomhickey5740]

As a recent subscriber I can officially say I am addicted

[@BlissFoster]

Tom Hickey that makes two of us 😆 I couldn’t stop doing this if I wanted to

[@Nikthehermit]

That gave me chills, and I am on the verge of tears.....

[@sotirisnt9929]

Can you make a video analyzing a Vetements show? Would be very interesting

[@BlissFoster]

Yesss! I love Vet, they’re on the list for sure 💫💫

[@danimosher9558]

Bliss Foster arguably Demna Gvasalia is one of the first designers to understand our current internet culture and exploit it for fashion. Quite interesting to incorporate meme and clickbait culture into a runway show.

[@lamant1412]

Just happy that we had chance to live in same generation with him. RIP Virgil

[@ArieS1]

bro this was so good! great work

[@AbtaheeAWasee]

Unquestionably the best analysis I've ever heard.

[@fuckboi_killa]

Congrats on 100k it's well deserved

[@verderosa1887]

Thank you Bliss. I think this was my favourite video you have done so far! So much content, so much emotion...

[@BlissFoster]

It’s my new favorite too! Thank you so much!

[@Naolegal1]

I am so happy to find your channel. Thanks for your content Bliss

[@MikeySully]

Didn’t expect to be crying by the end of this, incredible video Bliss, you are phenomenal!

[@user-js5ll6zm4b]

The best channel about fashion, thank you for the quality content, Bliss!

[@quitteriechassepot4717]

Just came across your videos!! Love them!! You’re so knowledgeable and interested and it’s contagious!!

[@BlissFoster]

Thank you so much!! Welcome!

[@alexandraimani888]

This is officially my favourite channel.

[@BlissFoster]

Thank you so much Ayanda 😊

[@DavidHerschorn]

❤️❤️❤️ thanks for creating such a well-produced, insightful analysis!

[@richardleewz]

I really enjoyed this video, glad to see someone explore his work without tearing into him. It's so cool that he sent you the show notes! This video also made me question why I haven't subscribed to your Patreon, which I've quickly rectified 😤

[@shaunkilla1]

so inspiring and thought out. I love when virgil can give us multilayer content like this

[@ianrankins7154]

Tears at the end. Thank you bliss, thank you Virgil

[@jarengroves6475]

Bliss you smashed it out of the park with this one. Such a good watch!

[@nousername3004]

Unbelievable. You totally changed my view on Virgils work. Please do more of these!!!

[@BlissFoster]

There’s tons more runway analysis on the channel 😊 we got Kiko, CDG, two eps on a single Gucci show, Rick Owens, dad (Raf), and tons more 💫💫

[@ChickenxBoneless]

This is the first video I've seen of yours and I want more. I love your perspective on fashion and culture.

[@BlissFoster]

We’ve got tons of fashion runway show analyses 💫💫

[@angelpiti99]

Wowww those notes are incredible. Amazing work, thank u for sharing 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@shawnrr7862]

Thank you for sharing this with us very informative I think everyone loves Louis Vuitton but it was good to hear how much this luxury house has changed and grew just the fact of making Virgil the creative director over the whole mans department I mean that was big it really just brought joy to me to hear how much work was put into this collection thank u thank u so much I loved this

[@erainium3083]

This has really changed my mind about Virgil, thank you for this video!

[@diogokurrle151]

I needed this channel so much

[@Art_Shep]

Just to expand on the whole wizard of Oz theme in this, Vigil made a post on instagram about The Wiz (1978), which was a reimagined take on the wizard of oz with an all black cast. Really enjoyed this vid btw

[@BlissFoster]

Yeah for sure! He starts to dig into the Wiz specifically starting in the FW19 show 💫💫 and thank you for the kind words, Arthur ✌️

[@anthonyabdo8487]

Love ur content bro can’t imagine how many hours of work it took keep it up my g ❤️

[@BlissFoster]

About 8 years and 40 hours 😊😂

[@wheres_galdo]

I am actually insanely impressed with what Virgil has been able to do with the resources at LV and contrary to my initial thoughts when I first heard that Virgil was taking over as Artisitic Director I think he will go on to do really monumental things for himself as well as LV. Love the video as always, Bliss!

[@BlissFoster]

Strong agree. Thanks as always for the support, Josh 💫💫

[@____m16__]

Jesus I had already considered Virgil a genius designer with a phenomenal workrate but until this video never understood the actual breadth of his genius. Sick video, Abloh's come-up to his position now will inspire generations of designers from so many different creative backgrounds. "you can do it too..." gave me goosebumps

[@bradeaton3428]

Thanks Bliss! Brilliant as always

[@abro7523]

RIP Virgil 🕊🌹💔

[@MarysRoom]

Wow the ending of this almost made me tear up. Beautiful show and analysis

[@KiiaH]

Can’t tell how glad I am to find this channel 👏🔥

[@jackriseley3629]

KILLED IT, one of my favourite videos yet

[@kidmorphius4002]

I'm so glad I found this channel been waiting to find someone who deepdives into the artistic aspect of fashion shows for so long thank you!:)*

[@BlissFoster]

Absolutely! I’m so glad you’re finding it useful 💫💫

[@nola_nyembo]

wow, this!! thank you so appreciated and plugged in.!!

[@alvinanis3006]

Professor Bliss back at it again with the educational content

[@GebbzSteelo]

there is no parrellel to how thorough you are m8 , u r an invaluable resource of information

[@BlissFoster]

That means the world to me bro, thank you

[@algotaberg2115]

this is best video sumarising virgil as a artist on the internet, I really liked it! Not a big virgil fan before but i see him from a new perspective now, thanks.

[@eli2081]

Love how Virgil put Kanye West in the Vocabulary.

[@sabrinaihyana]

This was my first time watching 😍 i just subscribed. Thank you for all this amazing content and for taking the time to define each term. I am sitting here so inspired i can almost float ✨☄️✈️

[@BlissFoster]

I’m so glad 💫🙏 And welcome! You should check out the Margiela series!! I’m going thru all of Martin’s shows one by one, there is SO MUCH good stuff in there.

[@nimbamahlati]

I’m always on the lookout for good Fashion commentary channels. I subscribed 3 minutes in!

[@BlissFoster]

Omg thank you 😊 Theres so much more good runway analyses on the channel.

[@tomkennovin9611]

been waiting on this one, thanku!

[@MrBolosslol]

Love you Bliss, thank you

[@ConversationswithThobile]

Thank you somuch for such great content man.

[@neony2k815]

Love you so much , I really needed this

[@ofonhu1073]

Thank you for making me understand Virgil's work a little more. You really changed my view on him.

[@BlissFoster]

Happy to help 💫✌️

[@FrOsTyBeArKiD]

I'll admit I was on the fence about this video because the production quality looked eh. But man oh man your quality (and delivery) of content and material is *french parody* mwah! You got a new sub, man.

[@BlissFoster]

I’m gonna take all this as a compliment 😆 but what’s a French parody?

[@FrOsTyBeArKiD]

@@BlissFoster Hmm like those cartoony French (or Italian) chefs that put their hand against their lips and kiss it and go MWAH! because their food is so good lol very much a compliment

[@joshnsolomon]

I'm not sure if its just the jet lag but I teared up at the end of this video

[@BlissFoster]

I definitely had to do a few cuts of that section bc I was tearing up as well 💫💫

[@phillip3722]

ive been waiting for thisssssssss for sooooo longggggg

[@BlissFoster]

Make sure you peep the full shownotes in the description homie 💫💫

[@lepolepo-jq5gp]

beatiful.

[@blaiselopez3180]

As an art student your understanding of the reference with the hands and feet are spot on

[@BlissFoster]

Oh awesome! Thank you 😊

[@joigillespie9234]

Damn you can tell a story. I love your videos.

[@MsWabala]

Your energy is everything, haha. love itt

[@BlissFoster]

wabalacreatives haha thank so much 😆 “too much” is just kinda my cruising altitude 🙃

[@BryanProper]

new follower here, love your energy and sharing, keep it coming!

[@patricksardo3303]

Just found your channel, really great stuff! Excited to see more videos and see the channel grow

[@BlissFoster]

Welcome Patrick! You should check out the Margiela series!! I’m going thru every show Martin did one episode for each runway. No need to go in order, you can skip around 💫💫

[@jakobguevara]

RIP Legend. From Chicago+

[@garyzhong1489]

"Duchamp is my law4er"

[@leoporfis]

amazing video as always, i hope you make more virgil's shows in the future, thank you for this

[@BlissFoster]

I also have a breakdown of the Off-White ‘Princess Diana’ show! It’s great, you should check it out 💫💫

[@leoporfis]

I watched that one too, I like how you go above and beyond to show the references made in the shows, your content is truly a gem

[@mateomarin8090]

This man is basically a professor

[@tomdietrich4774]

SUPPORT THIS MAN ON PATREON. best fashion content on the internet. another amazing video Bliss!

[@BlissFoster]

Thanks Tom 😊

[@henryhart2942]

“yEaH bUt PoP sMoKe ArT bAd !! hAhA vIrGiL bAd !!”

[@imfromcolorado]

"HoW mAnY vIrGiLs iS ThAt?"

[@bubefr]

Virgil murdered that show just as you murdered this analysis

[@BlissFoster]

😄💫💫🙏

[@inigosalcedom1443]

Loved how Bliss actually went in depth of Virgil’s work, references and vision as a young designer instead of “meming” him like “haha virgin ablo off-white bad i’m so funny” just like most fashion youtubers do

[@BlissFoster]

I appreciate that 🙏

[@briabridges8895]

This was incredible thank you

[@mariamalbu8546]

RIP Virgil 💔

[@cesarlarosa470]

I can't believe all the information you got, I hadn't found any channels like that, thank you!

[@BlissFoster]

It’s honestly my pleasure, César. I don’t think I could stop doing this if I tried 😄

[@cesarlarosa470]

@@BlissFoster now I'm waiting for my video about Yohji Yamamoto 😄

[@gamsterhowo2721]

This is a phenomenal video. I’m inspired.

[@kreamthirdteen6734]

It’s still crazy to me that he grew up like 20 min from me in the middle of nowhere

[@saabiqc6536]

thank you bliss

[@eunicenadal7130]

such an amazing video

[@rsswd]

"We Are The World" is more than just a Michael Jackson reference.

[@BlissFoster]

Oh cool! what else does it apply to??

[@Major.321]

The Melanted Race is responsible for the creation of virtually every conceiveable ideal. We are the Original Australians, Europeans, Americans & Asians. Most of history is a lie & the most educated know this. That lie is utilized to keep 95% people in control. And until you know this you're not really living

[@johnnyblaze8090]

@@Major.321 When real history meets fashion!

[@FA-te4yt]

Bliss Foster rich ppl own everything

[@guinewerterra526]

@@Major.321 Melanated or Melanted?

[@donny3900]

we are slowly evolving into the casual futuristic style we see from movies

[@noahg1388]

Love the shirt bliss

[@BlissFoster]

Thanks! It’s by Gary Graham 💫💫

[@Gandhishog]

You make awesome stuff, please please keep doing this

[@BlissFoster]

I willl! I don’t think I could stop if I tried 😆

[@teleleonela]

Holy shit, gained a subscriber without question. This is so well done!

[@BlissFoster]

Thanks so much, Leonela! You should check out the Margiela series! That’s how Virgil found me originally. There’s 11 episodes out so far with a 12th coming in about 10 days 💫💫

[@roberteames9917]

@16:44 look around the cuff on the left sleeve, crease runs up the side of both sleeves

[@ArianSheth]

Great stuff !

[@burberrycargos2499]

“more seats at the table just mean it’s a better party”

[@lucyfrancesevans2105]

the video I never knew how much I needed

[@BlissFoster]

As always, thanks for the support, Lucy 💫💫

[@vhbeats661]

Really good video !

[@clinel]

This Was Soo Beautiful...

[@thinkingthoughtsart]

Excellent! This runway show is what made me get into wanting to see and learn more about fashion! Thank you Bliss for an amazing breakdown and can't wait to subscribe to your patreon! -Bianca

[@BlissFoster]

Thanks so much for the kind words, Bianca :) Virgil’s a brilliant guy, I have a breakdown of his FW21 Mens show coming in a few days. Can’t wait to see you on the Discord server 🦾

[@thinkingthoughtsart]

@@BlissFoster ahhh yesss!! Can’t wait 😄

[@laralynellsworth]

"More seats at the table just means it's a better party." -Bliss Foster.

[@theodoroskalopedis]

no idea who you are but the way you presented this video....bravo sir, bravo