Fashion shows are always a sight to behold but anticipation for the Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Fall/Winter 2021 show ran especially high when it was announced that BTS would be taking part. After being announced as global ambassadors for the luxury brand in April, the legendary septet modelled pieces from Vigil Abloh’s latest collection on July 7 in a fashion film presentation directed by South Korean filmmaker Jeon Go-woon.
Inspiration
The inspiration behind the collection came from the “idea of challenging preconceived notions and reimagining established codes,” Virgil Abloh discussed in his show notes. The so-called ‘spin-off show’ is a continuation of the Fall 2021 Menswear Collection, shown in Paris back in January. The show also echoes Virgil Abloh’s The Voyage project, started in 2020, whereby shows travel to the destinations of Louis Vuitton’s global community. Much like its predecessor, the Fall/Winter 2021 collection is an ode to traveling, made evident with the inclusion of airplane buttons on coats and oversized travel bags as well as the opening narrator. “I had been a pilot for around seven years. In the midst of bad weather, I began my trip having gone through countless amounts of typhoons. I was familiar with the skies but I came across a totally foreign place. Tall skyscrapers, wide windows, and long halls,” the show began.
The septet strutted across the Bucheon’s Art Bunker B39 with smouldering looks, previously shown in the January runway. They walked alongside other models, including famous Nigerian-Korean model and actor Han Hyun Min, who sported 34 brand-new looks, making for a total of 41. Common threads included bold colours, over-the-top outerwear, and, of course, plenty of Louis Vuitton’s signature monogram.
The Show
Jimin started off the show in a light marbled suit and salmon-coloued, gold sunglasses. RM had the most accessories of the group, donning an oversized dark suit with a large matching hat, and a silver briefcase. Suga wore a chic black suit with green and white sneakers that perfectly matched his sash that bore the writings of conceptual artist Lawrence Weiner. J-Hope modelled a suit that encapsulated the theme of the show with the map of the world embroidered onto his jacket and tie. Both Jungkook and V wore crisp black suits. V held an oversized Louis Vuitton coffee cup-shaped bag (which is ironic since fans learned in one Run BTS! episode that he doesn’t particularly enjoy coffee) while Jungkook put the brand’s statement jewelry in full display. Finally, Jin closed out on a high note in a checkered crimson and black coat.
The South Korean group’s vibrant style has garnered the attention of the fashion crowd for years now. Dior’s Kim Jones famously created exclusive performance outfits for the group’s Love Yourself: Speak Yourself world tour. They also landed a spot on Vanity Fair’s 2019 Best Dressed List and were named British GQ’s Best Boy Group in 2021. There’s no doubt that their first Blurbmajor project with Louis Vuitton is only further cementing their high-fashion status.