For Louis Vuitton, life is all about adaptation. We change and evolve with those around us, becoming more accustomed to the slowly differentiating world. More than anything, we adapt to our environment. Thus, for their Pre Fall 2023 Men’s collection, Louis Vuitton put this naturalistic adaptation into material practice. Setting the collection in two varied ecosystems, the desert and the mirage, Louis Vuitton demonstrates just how their garments adapt to different palettes. It’s not just beings that are adaptable; it’s their clothes, too. 

Starting in the desert, the luxury brand finds its inspiration in the sport of daredevils and thrill-seekers: motocross. High-speed racing puts pedal to the metal, forcing the athlete’s clothing to change and evolve with the arid conditions and thrashing wind. Thus, many of the garments are made of durable and flexible materials. Waterproof, ripstock nylon forms the foundation for an energetic set, while a myriad of zippers demonstrate the collection’s athletic impetus. 

Also present in the Desert portion of the collection is that classic Louis Vuitton LV, this time used as a tool for furthering the design aesthetic. LVs perforate dusty jackets to give the feeling of sand, while faded logos on denim show the destruction of the blazing sun. Even printed designs evoke desert imagery, with curving logos bringing to mind mountainous sand dunes. This is a prime example of injecting artistic vision into a brand history; Louis Vuitton uses their classic logo to create something creatively new. 

Yet, like all humans, these looks adapt. Enter the mirage, the second ecosystem centered within the Louis Vuitton Pre Fall collection. With lush botanicals and proliferated flora, the mirage has an entirely different design origin than the desert. Where the sun damages desert garments, rain becomes present for the mirage. Dirt-ridden, motocross thrills are abandoned for a more beautified, transcendent vision. This is the adaptation of design. 

The mirage looks become more daring in their colors and structures, attempting to evoke the natural beauty of a rain forest. Bright pinks and multi-colored patterns litter the collection, while garments bubble in their flow. Logos are no longer damaged and sandlike, but now droplets of rain and floral adornments. It’s a stark transition from the previous portion, moving from the harsh to the light.

Louis Vuitton is known for their concept-driven collections. Thus, the natural adaptation theming is unsurprising. One should always expect a grand inspiration and story behind a Louis Vuitton collection. That being said, this theming seems especially apt for showing off the brand’s design prowess. The garments demonstrate some breadth of vision, going from one extreme to another. Whether intentional or not, Louis Vuitton’s high-concept collection has shown off its versatility.