

FASHION

THIS VINTAGE LOUIS VUITTON SHOW BECAME AN UNINTENTIONALLY

HAUNTING SYMBOL OF CORONAVIRUS
The irony is not lost on us.

APR 06, 2020 1:08AM BY JONAH WATERHOUSE

Balenciaga's flooded runway at Paris Fashion Week autumn/wi…

At large, fashion is often portrayed by outsiders as materialistic and superficial.

On a deeper level, fashion connoisseurs know that the clothes we see on runways are often a deep
reflection of our times—take Balenciaga's intentionally water-submerged runway at their autumn/winter
'20 show as a not-so-subtle reminder of climate change, for example (footage of which can be seen at
the top of this article).
Unlike other serious issues like racial inequality and #MeToo, fashion is having a much harder time
reflecting on the coronavirus pandemic. As the impacts of the pandemic are felt worldwide, social
media has become a place where industry insiders resort to humour and even playful irony to cope with
the increasingly dire situation at hand.

In recent weeks, a certain vintage runway show has taken on a whole new haunting meaning—Louis
Vuitton's spring/summer '08 collection.

Shown over a decade ago, then-creative director Marc Jacobs sent models like Naomi Campbell, Eva
Herzigová and Natalia Vodianova down the runway wearing instantly-recognisable surgical masks
(black lace with LV monogram embroidery, no less), which stood out unintentionally against the ice-
white nurse's garbs.

NAOMI CAMPBELL AT LOUIS VUITTON SPRING/SUMMER '08. GETTY

NATALIA VODIANOVA AT LOUIS VUITTON SPRING/SUMMER '08. GETTY

Jacobs departed the French brand in 2013 and has long been known for his bold, statement-making
collections and whimsical aesthetic. He also regularly collaborated with culture-defining artists like
Takashi Murakami and even Kanye West.

In February 2020, Jacobs and stylist Katie Grand, his longtime collaborator, highlighted the visual
similarities between the collection and the current pandemic by sharing backstage polaroids from the
show.
 themarcjacobs
View Profile
1.4m followers

View More on Instagram

Even a handful of memes have been thrown around, one of which re-appropriates the mask into 2006's
The Devil Wears Prada—the base point for hundreds of fashion references.
 smartstreetwear
View Profile
237.3k followers

View More on Instagram

Fashion has definitely been known to reflect its time period—something we can definitely see in the
wake of the global climate emergency, with brands like Max Mara, Celine and Chanel promoting
timeless classics instead of seasonal trends (AKA 'logomania').

It's not often, however, that fashion can end up mirroring the future, in a time that's as uncertain as this
one. As many of us spend time in self-isolation to slow the spread of COVID-19, the face mask has
become the most prominent symbol of the unprecedented crisis (even though their actual effectiveness
is a contentious topic).
Whether pure coincidence or genuine foreshadowing, even runway shows like this can give us a little
bit of escapism, in a time where we definitely need it.

(See the related links for five ways to help others during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.)

READ THIS NEXT

Health & Fitness Culture

The BAZAAR Guide To Working Out During The 5 Ways To Help Others During The Coronavirus
Coronavirus Pandemic Pandemic

Sign up here to receive our newsletters and offers!

Email address SIGN UP

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY

 SHARE  PIN

RE AD M O RE

Culture Fashion Beauty Fashion

The Luxury Guide To
Shopping Online For
Mother's Day
Legendary Fashion The Chicest Nude Gwyneth Paltrow
Photographer Peter Nail Polishes For A Donates One Of Her
Beard Dies Age 82 Low-Maintenance Most Famous
Isolation Manicure Dresses For
Coronavirus Relief
 REC OM M EN D ED FOR YOU

PROMOTED PROMOTED

NON SURGICAL FACE LIFT | SPONSORED RESULTS BEACHRAIDER

HERE IS WHAT NON FACE LIFT SURGERY MAY COST [PICS] 21 CELEBS WHO ARE GAY THAT YOU PROBABLY
YOU IN SINGAPORE DIDN'T KNOW

PROMOTED PROMOTED

DENTAL IMPLANTS | SPONSORED LISTINGS ABBOTT

HERE IS WHAT DENTAL IMPLANTS MIGHT COST YOU IN SIMILAC GAIN PROVIDES ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS | FREE
SINGAPORE SAMPLE HERE
PROMOTED PROMOTED

ENTERTAINMENT COOL SCULPTING COST | SPONSORED RESULTS

K-POP STAR PRANKS FANS THAT HE HAS COVID-19, THE COST OF COOLSCULPTING MAY SURPRISE YOU
JOKE BACKFIRES

PROMOTED PROMOTED

EXECUTIVE MBA | SPONSORED ADS SENIOR SAVINGS ACCOUNT | SPONSORED LISTINGS

EXECUTIVE MBA DEGREES IN SINGAPORE: THE COST SENIORS CAN NOW OPEN SAVING ACCOUNTS ONLINE!
MAY SURPRISE YOU FIND RESULTS HERE

PROMOTED PROMOTED

PERSONAL LOANS | SPONSORED LISTINGS REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS | SPONSORED RESULTS

PERSONAL LOANS THAT YOU MIGHT BE MISSING HERE ARE SOME REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS THAT
MIGHT SURPRISE YOU

Recommended by
 FOLLOW US

GET THE MAGAZINE

Subscribe to Australia’s number one fashion

magazine Harper’s BAZAAR, where style,
culture and beauty come together with a side of
smarts.

SUB SCRIB E

PRIVACY POLICY | ADVERTISE | TERMS OF USE

© COPYRIGHT BAUER MEDIA PTY LTD

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

BAC K TO THE TOP