Understanding Virgil’s Louis Vuitton 

This is probably the only piece of media of this caliber covering Virgil beyond his own interviews

I’m in shock, after ignorantly overlooking Virgil for so long as a copy cat designer with very “on the nose” ideas and designs, this video and analysis opened my eyes to the deeper metaphor of some of his work not described or shown by many others, if at all. Thank you so much this experience 🙏🏽

I swear if Bliss isnt invited to his next show

The show notes alone are so indicative of Virgil's background in Academia and science. His reinterpretation of lab concepts like error analysis and implicit sample bias is a mirror image to his 3% theory. I mean you really could make the argument that his shows are just a lab in motion. The show notes are the brief yet comprehensive introduction to a write up or glossary from any lab manual. He twists these hard, scientific thought processes into just edging into the fashion world. You can really tell he's an engineer and academic by training, and that fuses so firmly into his creative process. It's something that despite my varied opinions on Virgil's work at LV & Off-White, I've always really liked about him as a face in fashion.

this was much needed to redeem any faith in Virgil after that popsmoke cover lol

You’ve opened my eyes to the true passion and care that Virgil puts into his work. When everyone in the fashion industry shits on him constantly you start to become complicit with the fact that he is a “bad” designer, when in reality he is an excellent curator and has created great shows.

My god that ending made me cry that was so beautiful

I was working on my first creative project when I realized Virgil’s ingenuity. After researching his work, I learned that he built his DNA in the most advanced yet acceptable way, meaning that his (personal) branding is so strong that he can transform literally anything to make it recognizable as his own which is on par with his 3% approach, as you mentioned. As an artist, I noticed that this is far from easy so it made me respect his artistry more. Working on his new vocabulary for the first collection, Virgil asked himself and his team “The problem that we have now in 2018 is everyone owns every type of garment already. What’s our signature twist (3%) in terms of things that you already have in your closet, as to why you would buy it again?” One of these signature twists was the ceramic chain links he added on the accessories. “The chain hearkens to Abloh’s origins in streetwear while offering a sly commentary on the wearer’s enslavement to branded luxury and, in overtly preventing theft, on the desirability of luxury goods.” This is an example on how he builds a strong vocabulary from scratch which is cohesive throughout his collections and instantly recognizable as his own. Here’s a behind-the-scenes video on this. It’s his first day in the office; ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2kgrdS5YVBQ.html There was also a Pink Floyd “The Dark side of the Moon” reference with the prism and the rainbow. An idea hit him in the 5 hours that he flew to Paris after his role got announced which was a metaphor of leaving Off-White and hitting the prism of Vuitton and then having access to the full color spectrum. He has also said “No ones a designer anymore, we’re all stylists. Of course there’s new, it’s people that are inventing from zero. I’m more occupied with sort of conceptualizing the past to get to somewhere new.” This concept was actually an architecture movement wich started mid 20th century called postmodernism. It’s clear that his work is heavily influenced from this movement. There’s an Off-White collection named after it. Source; an in depth behind-the-scenes video on the preparations for the first show: vimeo.com/276160345 People judge simply because of ignorance. I read your comment saying that you’re not really with the ‘stan or ban’ mentality at all and that you just try to take art on its own terms, then figure out what’s being said and how it’s saying it. I fully agree with this. It’s rare to find people with this mentality. People like me and you just simply do our research. It’s a shame that most people are sheep and don’t even bother to delve into Virgil’s work because of narratives formed by others. Thank you for this video and for clearing up the ignorance regarding Virgil. I hope you do more of these. Ignorance is bliss 💫

Watching this video one day after Virgil's passing gives it a whole new meaning. He had such a large impact on streetwear and we would not be where we are right now without him. Love you Virgil, never forgotten

This LV spring summer 2019 came out the same time I dropped out of varsity while studying architecture, when I saw Virgil post on his instagram "you can do it too..." it immediately removed any doubts I had about the decision I made... if he sees this (doubtful) I just wanna say Thank You.

I've been looking for a channel like this for so long! Finally, a fashion channel that actually talks about the art and story of brands and fashion designers rather than people just flashing off how much money they've spent on a new trend.

Hi! A few more info concerning the show and the collection, as I was working at Vuitton at the time of the Show : My colleague who was working as a textile engineer/buyer, told me that usually men's collection have around three times less different materials than women's. For this collection, in the first two weeks, Virgil had already ordered as many material as a women's show. So by the end he must have had many more, which was quite revolutionary. Regarding the explanation we had prior to the show for the context, the show was supposed to start with black models wearing white clothes, to represent his time at off white. Then, it was supposed to be white models wearing more tailored and colored clothes, to represent the usual customer of LV. And it was supposed to lead to this explosion of colors and textures, materials, that represent him arriving at his position as a creative director. I think in the end it got mixed up a bit in order to present the collection and the products in a certain way but the concept that we were presented was that. Finally, most of the attendance was actually LV's employees. They tried to invite students, and I think there were some, but for security reasons (and also to avoid resell of the invits), it had to be much more limited that originally planned, unfortunately. Hope this is useful for Fashion History!

When I first heard that Virgil Abloh was coming to LV, I was a bit surprised because I had this rather detached conception of LV as a maker of classic Goyard-style luggage for first class Queen Mary passengers. I’m glad you highlighted the point that LV himself was not a fan of formal wear at all, and this insight has helped me better understand where the Virgil vision fits in the LV brand aesthetic. Keep up the good work!

Could Virgil inviting "kids" to his show be seen as a reference to the Martin Margiela S/S 90 show when he invited local kids? That margiela show is seen as game-changing and my guess this LV show will be held to a similar pedestal in the future. In both shows "kids" could signify the generational shift which happened in fashion at the given times.

I was an intern for LV and I helped make the blue “army long coat” and the green puffa coat collection, great time

As a recent subscriber I can officially say I am addicted

Why am I sobbing at the end of this. Bliss you are a prolific and captivating storyteller, this was incredible. Thank you!

I am so happy to find your channel. Thanks for your content Bliss

I really enjoyed this video, glad to see someone explore his work without tearing into him. It's so cool that he sent you the show notes! This video also made me question why I haven't subscribed to your Patreon, which I've quickly rectified 😤

Rest in Peace to one of the greatest. Virigl was the culture. Thank you for sharing your knowledge in this video and your heartfelt message in your Instagram post, Bliss. Virgil did so much more than we will ever truly know, in my opinion

Didn’t expect to be crying by the end of this, incredible video Bliss, you are phenomenal!

Just happy that we had chance to live in same generation with him. RIP Virgil

The best channel about fashion, thank you for the quality content, Bliss!

Congrats on 100k it's well deserved

Bliss you smashed it out of the park with this one. Such a good watch!

Can you make a video analyzing a Vetements show? Would be very interesting

Wowww those notes are incredible. Amazing work, thank u for sharing 🙏🏼🙏🏼

❤️❤️❤️ thanks for creating such a well-produced, insightful analysis!

Thank you Bliss. I think this was my favourite video you have done so far! So much content, so much emotion...

so inspiring and thought out. I love when virgil can give us multilayer content like this

Tears at the end. Thank you bliss, thank you Virgil

Just came across your videos!! Love them!! You’re so knowledgeable and interested and it’s contagious!!

Thank you for sharing this with us very informative I think everyone loves Louis Vuitton but it was good to hear how much this luxury house has changed and grew just the fact of making Virgil the creative director over the whole mans department I mean that was big it really just brought joy to me to hear how much work was put into this collection thank u thank u so much I loved this

This has really changed my mind about Virgil, thank you for this video!

Unquestionably the best analysis I've ever heard.

This is the first video I've seen of yours and I want more. I love your perspective on fashion and culture.

Just to expand on the whole wizard of Oz theme in this, Vigil made a post on instagram about The Wiz (1978), which was a reimagined take on the wizard of oz with an all black cast. Really enjoyed this vid btw

Thanks Bliss! Brilliant as always

Wow the ending of this almost made me tear up. Beautiful show and analysis

Just found your channel, really great stuff! Excited to see more videos and see the channel grow

I needed this channel so much

wow, this!! thank you so appreciated and plugged in.!!

That gave me chills, and I am on the verge of tears.....

amazing video as always, i hope you make more virgil's shows in the future, thank you for this

Love ur content bro can’t imagine how many hours of work it took keep it up my g ❤️

this is best video sumarising virgil as a artist on the internet, I really liked it! Not a big virgil fan before but i see him from a new perspective now, thanks.

new follower here, love your energy and sharing, keep it coming!

Professor Bliss back at it again with the educational content

Jesus I had already considered Virgil a genius designer with a phenomenal workrate but until this video never understood the actual breadth of his genius. Sick video, Abloh's come-up to his position now will inspire generations of designers from so many different creative backgrounds. "you can do it too..." gave me goosebumps

This was my first time watching 😍 i just subscribed. Thank you for all this amazing content and for taking the time to define each term. I am sitting here so inspired i can almost float ✨☄️✈️

bro this was so good! great work

I am actually insanely impressed with what Virgil has been able to do with the resources at LV and contrary to my initial thoughts when I first heard that Virgil was taking over as Artisitic Director I think he will go on to do really monumental things for himself as well as LV. Love the video as always, Bliss!

Thank you somuch for such great content man.

KILLED IT, one of my favourite videos yet

Can’t tell how glad I am to find this channel 👏🔥

Love you so much , I really needed this

Love you Bliss, thank you

Unbelievable. You totally changed my view on Virgils work. Please do more of these!!!

been waiting on this one, thanku!

I'm so glad I found this channel been waiting to find someone who deepdives into the artistic aspect of fashion shows for so long thank you!:)*

I’m always on the lookout for good Fashion commentary channels. I subscribed 3 minutes in!

Excellent! This runway show is what made me get into wanting to see and learn more about fashion! Thank you Bliss for an amazing breakdown and can't wait to subscribe to your patreon! -Bianca

there is no parrellel to how thorough you are m8 , u r an invaluable resource of information

Your energy is everything, haha. love itt

I can't believe all the information you got, I hadn't found any channels like that, thank you!

Damn you can tell a story. I love your videos.

SUPPORT THIS MAN ON PATREON. best fashion content on the internet. another amazing video Bliss!

As an art student your understanding of the reference with the hands and feet are spot on

This is officially my favourite channel.

Thank you for making me understand Virgil's work a little more. You really changed my view on him.

Holy shit, gained a subscriber without question. This is so well done!

This is the first video I've watched of yours. That outro hit me fucking hard for some reason. Great vid man.

I'm not sure if its just the jet lag but I teared up at the end of this video

ive been waiting for thisssssssss for sooooo longggggg

This was incredible thank you

thank you bliss

Astounding video with incredible quality as always,jealous that you own one of those booklets! Cant wait for other videos,saw that someone requested vetements and I’d really live to hear your opinion on demna.

You make awesome stuff, please please keep doing this

“yEaH bUt PoP sMoKe ArT bAd !! hAhA vIrGiL bAd !!”

Instant Sub, AMAZING analysis 🤯 Really explains how and why Virgil has amassed so much success that unfortunately is easily dismissed as “copying”

I'll admit I was on the fence about this video because the production quality looked eh. But man oh man your quality (and delivery) of content and material is *french parody* mwah! You got a new sub, man.

Thank you for finally giving Virgil the credit he deserves 🙂

This is a phenomenal video. I’m inspired.

Informative goodnesss thankyou~~ much appreciated

no idea who you are but the way you presented this video....bravo sir, bravo

Love the shirt bliss

Loved how Bliss actually went in depth of Virgil’s work, references and vision as a young designer instead of “meming” him like “haha virgin ablo off-white bad i’m so funny” just like most fashion youtubers do

"More seats at the table just means it's a better party." -Bliss Foster.

This Was Soo Beautiful...

RIP Virgil 🕊🌹💔

Virgil murdered that show just as you murdered this analysis

the video I never knew how much I needed

also, great, great video! very insightful.

we are slowly evolving into the casual futuristic style we see from movies

“more seats at the table just mean it’s a better party”

love your nails, i like to see more men painting their nails! i do it too, i think its a simple and nice way to upgrade an outfit

Well explained. If I had money I would buy every single piece off this runway. Virgil is the only designer who did that for me...and most of his shows does that for me, while remaining overwhelmingly artistic👌🏿👌🏿👌🏿

are you planning to make another vid covering undercover's show? love these in-depth analysis

Love your channel! Could you do a video about Jacquemus? I think he's one of the most interesting voices in fashion right now.. Thanks again for your videos!

i love when ahoynateo discusses label-man