Louis Vuitton's Spring/Summer 2018 collection is an alpine-inspired luxury range.
Many of the pieces feature mountain climbing-inspired details like functional carabiners and nylon rope or strap accents. The color palette is rooted in Louis Vuitton's classic canvas monogram print – but vibrant blue, yellow and red accents give the luggage pieces a more sporty vibe. One canvas pouch bag has a lanyard attached and layered over the zipper. This serves as an added performance feature as well as a stylistic decision. Metallic utility buckles and matching sunglasses are direct references to climbing culture.
Louis Vuitton's creative director Kim Jones cites a recent trip to Hawaii as the inspiration behind this collection. These smaller accessories are great ways of bringing the middle class into the fold as a luxury consumer. The smaller accessories in this alpine-inspired luxury collection are great options for budget-conscious consumers looking to own a bold fashion accessory.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Alpine-inspired Luxury
- Luxury brands are incorporating functional outdoor wear attributes to high fashion, creating disruptive opportunities to their traditional markets.
- Athletic-fashion Fusion
- High-end brands are integrating sports and athletic wear into traditional luxury fashion, creating a trend for a new market of individuals who value both style and performance.
- Middle-class Luxury
- Brands are using smaller accessories and lower priced items to introduce luxury to middle-class consumers and create new opportunities for growth.
Where This Applies
- Fashion and Luxury Goods
- Traditional luxury brands are innovating their designs and branching out into athletic and outdoor wear to stay competitive and appeal to new markets.
- Sports and Athletic Wear
- High-performance athletic wear is being integrated into luxury fashion, creating new opportunities for growth and innovation in both industries.
- Retail
- As high-end luxury brands continue to expand into the sports and athletic wear market, traditional retail will need to adapt to accommodate these new lines and consumers.
