The Jet Era of Louis Vuitton Cruise 2020: Did Anna Wintour Smile or Purse Her Lips?

Photographed and designed by Lillian X. Ly

After 2 days from the MET Gala 2019, Louis Vuitton’s exquisite collection of Cruise 2020 was ultimately showcased.  Not only a sense of neo-futurism but also the historical aspects of the venue, which was the iconic, UFO-like TWA Flight Center by Eero Saarinen in 1962 at JFK airport, was quite potential to be Nicolas Ghesquière’s inspiration.  Also, this collection represented the organic first impression of Nicolas Ghesquière about his visit to New York. Interestingly, TWA Flight Center is scheduled to be operated as a hotel in the following week after the show. Therefore, the show made a slight and subtle announcement for the hotel.  We will get to Anna Wintour’s section shortly. Please wait for it! However, first of all, the trends sighted in the runway shall be discussed.

Source: Louis Vuitton

I was wholeheartedly intrigued by everything the show had to offer from their hors d'oeuvres to obvious trends to Anna Wintour and to the incredible after-party at MoMA PS1. This meaningful collection accented a vivid illustration of New York cliches, such as the Chrysler building-shaped bags, the red and white stripes of the iconic TWA flight bags seen in the garments’ and bags’ details, the tailoring look of Wall Street pinstriped pantsuits and easy-to-throw-on yet perfect dress shirts, from the 80s working girls to Park Avenue ladies.  The Gotham City motif from the collection indicated the fantasy that New York carries: the Batman Art Deco from the 60s in the jacket and the batwing sleeves. Not to mention, the Catwoman-inspired skullcaps. The geometrical drapes of the glittery silver-lined capelet delicately sent a lovely thank-you to the grand contribution of Eero Saarinen. The other jackets were amazingly embroidered with the proud skyline of New York. It is evident that Nicolas Ghesquière, well, is not afraid of clichés at all because he is a foreigner.  The complex encounter of Elizabethan sophistication and Space Age connected with the clichés uniquely. Last but not least, he smartly assembled the TV screens into the bags in order to blur the line between your smartphone and your sac, according to Louis Vuitton’s press release. To pair with almost every look, a pair of 90s-inspired combat boots was the perfect ones.

Now, here we go, did the Mona Lisa in the fashion world smile or purse her lips? Well… I was sitting sort of in front of her.  I assumed it was my honor to politely and kindly notice her facial expressions. Here is an image gifted all of my amazing audience:

photographed by Lillian X. Ly

Yes, she smiled a lot!