Louis Vuitton Resort 2016

Louis Vuitton Resort 2016

The Bob Hope Estate located at Palm Springs, California played host to Nicolas Ghesquiere's Louis Vuitton Resort 2016 collection. Ghesquiere's designs were invariably imbued with retro poise. Consummate class with the utmost precision tailoring was present throughout.

The collection opened with a series of languorous looks including a scintillating, monochromatic cropped long sleeve blouse engulfed in a chain motif. A leather harness encased the torso and featured industrial exposed zip. Matching trousers in relaxed proportions were teamed to leather platform thongs and a minimalistic tote handbag.

A collarless, oatmeal leather jacket starred in shrunken proportions. Bold criss cross leather and eyelet detail plummeted down the placket and forearm adding seventies allure. The moto jacket was married to an obsidian, free flowing jumpsuit complete with triangle cut-out torso with gargantuan origami inspired waist detail. A studded, quilted mini clutch in onyx was the accessory of choice.

Julia Hafstrom modelled a cornflower blue boxy suede jacket with ebony panelling and textural metallic silver leather collar. Statement zips hardened the silhouette. Denim hot pants cut briefly on the thigh featured darting, contrasting bleached denim pockets and centre zip fastening. The look was finalised with platform, combat ankle boots and a luxurious, muted apricot quilted handbag in the Vuitton 'Alma' shape complete with identity tag.

Colour blocking nostalgia crept in on a paprika and persimmon suede overcoat which was a bold accession against the stark blanc t-shirt and languid trousers in which the coat was paired to. Psychedelia dominated on a scuba inspired zip up wetsuit top embellished with undulating patterns in eye catching shades of gold, azure, ebony and scarlet snakeskin. A sequin collar threw ostentation in to the equation. Matching high waisted shorts resembling briefs concluded the look. Valery Kaufman nonchalantly carried the signature monogram LV backpack as she took to the runway.

A full length, candy apple red, butter soft leather dress featured punctured LV floral motifs, thigh splits and deep flounce decolletage. A built in waist tie added shape to the arabesque. A wondrous addition. Victorious printed prairie dresses featured black lace and caged panelling with a strong nod to the seventies decade prevalent. Diaphanous, poetic looks bursting with romanticism.

The show concluded with a series of garments reminiscent of Picnic at Hanging Rock mashed with Gothic glam connotations. High neck, Victorian inspired structured leather dresses complete with scalloped bell bottom sleeves came in a colour palette comprising of alabaster and ink. Puff shoulders and laser leather shapes lent broderie anglaise qualities to the mix. A transparent minaudiere was clutched by model Amalie Schmidt.

Nicolas Ghesquiere works his masterful way yet again on a collection brimming with panache.

By Courtney Jones.