paris at last

Curvy, Adult, Diverse Models Walk Louis Vuitton

Marc Jacobs presented his fall 2010 Louis Vuitton collection in Paris today, and he sought to do what so many years of fashion shows haven’t: cast models that were diverse in age, shape, and ethnicity. From the Guardian:

“Designers are always talking about how they design for women, and then you look at our runways and there no girls over 20,” said Marc Jacobs, the American designer of Louis Vuitton, backstage after his blockbuster catwalk show in Paris today. “This time, I set out to cast a variety of sexy women - younger, older, thin, voluptuous, from every ethnic background.”


The model lineup included 31-year-old Laetitia Casta, 46-year-old Elle Macpherson, 26-year-old Lara Stone, 24-year-old Bar Refaeli, 21-year-old Coco Rocha, and 30-year-old Noémie Lenoir. Victoria’s Secret stars Adriana Lima, 28, and Alessandra Ambrosio, 28, also walked. (We’re pretty sure this is Adriana’s first turn on the runway since giving birth to her daughter in November.)

From left: Alessandra Ambrosio, Coco Rocha, and Adriana Lima.Photo: Dominique Charriau/WireImage, Antonio de Moraes Barros/WireImage


The clothes were mostly conservative, and conceived with a real, grown-up woman in mind. None of the skirts so much as showed knee, and the most revealing looks only showed a tasteful amount of cleavage. So, as in Prada’s fall 2010 show, bosoms were key on this runway.

So are curves really back? Plenty of designers this season undoubtedly showed clothes on super-skinny models. Every time we pick up a fashion magazine we’re faced with a flock of likewise disturbingly thin girls. But when a designer as influential as Jacobs embraces curves and diversity, we have more hope that the trend will become more widespread. Until that happens, we’re thrilled with the conservative direction many shows have taken this season. After see-through clothes and lingerie galore for spring, it’s a welcome change for women who actually need things to wear to work.

But here’s a thinker: If curves and conservative dresses are really in, will any number of super-skinny starlets put their miniskirts in storage and start eating dairy products?

Louis Vuitton goes back to basics with a return to glamour and grace [Guardian UK]
Louis Vuitton autumn/winter 2010/11 collection [Telegraph UK]

Curvy, Adult, Diverse Models Walk Louis Vuitton