The late, great Michael Jackson is set to be honoured today in Paris. No, he’s not receiving a posthumous award from the music industry, nor is there a hologram concert. Jackson will be honoured by one very high-profile, very pop culture–obsessed designer at the autumn/winter 2019 menswear shows. Back in December, Virgil Abloh announced that his second collection for Louis Vuitton as artistic director of men’s would be inspired by the man who gave us Thriller, “Smooth Criminal,” and the moonwalk.
Instead of a piece of paper with the place, time, and date of the show, the designer chose to distribute a single embellished white glove to each guest signed by him and printed with the address at the Jardin des Tuileries. Also on the glove, the words, “There was only one us,” which are part of a poem written by Abloh. The sparkly glove is, of course, a Jackson signifier and a small totem of his giant, starry, untouchable persona.
As Abloh explained to Interview magazine when asked about his next step at Louis Vuitton, “When I have Michael singing in the background, it’s a different type of shirt, it’s a different kind of boot, it’s a different fit of pants. Music is key.” Whether or not the invites themselves will actually be a part of the collection remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt the multidimensional creative will show a playful, nostalgic collection on the heels of his Wizard of Oz trip over the rainbow for Spring 2019. One thing is for sure: If anyone can bring fashion hype back to a diamanté-encrusted glove, it’s Abloh. Long live the King of Pop.
Vogue
