RUNWAY: Louis Vuitton SS19

Is Virgil Abloh the first of his name? Is he the breaker of chains? In some ways, yes. Virgil Abloh is the first black man to hold such a high position at Louis Vuitton. His appointment was swift and his first collection came together relatively quickly, something that newly minted creative directors are now accustomed. So, in this way, he is the first of him name, paving the way for others. Has he broken the chains that bound black designers from top spots at mega-sized houses? Possibly but the broken chain reference was more literal, as seen in the broken chains found on the bags Abloh showed on the rainbow carpet. Speaking of rainbows, which for the LGBTQ+ community, signals inclusivity, that's exactly what Abloh offered in terms of model representation.

As for the clothes themselves, you'd expect some buzzy items from undoubtedly the most talked about young designer and he did not disappoint with floral printed jackets and outerwear, one with Dorothy on it. The strongest pieces came from the monochromatic looks, whether they were languidly cut trousers in white or a minimalist suit in a rich vermilion. There were also sportier elements like the all bleached-denim look but the biggest departure for Abloh were in the tailored pieces, which signal that he's not taking his new position lying down and showing a more expensive version of Off-White. He's here to challenge himself in terms of design but also challenge the status quo with his very presence and influence. It's a kick in the butt that men's fashion seems to need and the watching public has been waiting for.