FMS406SalmonMNewElizabethans: Louis Vuitton Exhibition.

When recently visiting London to go to the National Portrait Gallery, I used the opportunity to also go and see the Louis Vuitton Exhibition. I found the exhibition very useful and interesting, as there were many sources of information that explained how clothes and bags were made, from the factory to the runway and the same with design and inspirations used to create the new upcoming collections. There were a few main objects in the exhibition which stood out to me when trying to collect any sources and ideas I could use alongside my contemporary Elizabethan designs.

Louis Vuitton Exhibition.
180 Strand.
October 2015.
Taken on Samsung Galaxy A5.

This first Image I took was inspiring to me because the structure of the gown reminded me a lot, of some Elizabethan clothing I had found from contemporary sources. The shoulder shape of the gown imitates Elizabethan ruffles commonly found on the extravagant dresses worn in Tudor times and also, the shape of the chest part of the gown down to the waist, It really reminded me of the shape of Elizabethan corsets worn with full intricate designed skirts. Also I found the design really pretty and abstract and liked that it was in black and white, almost creating an illusional pattern whilst observing it.

Louis Vuitton Exhibition.
180 Strand.
October 2015.
Taken on Samsung Galaxy A5.

The use of beading and diamonds on these two garments are what stood out to me the most when observing these pieces. They were extremely heavy to touch, and again reminded me of the dramatic and intricate gowns Queen Elizabeth had worn in some of her portraiture before, like 'The Ditchley Portrait 1592'. Details of beading like on these two garments and also Givenchy's Fall 'Face Jewellery' which the legendary Pat McGrath described as 'Chola Victorian', are elements that inspired my 'Envious Elizabethan' makeup design. Whenever I see detailing like this on clothes, It symbolises wealth and possessions to me, sort of like How many diamonds can I cram into one look? and this again reminds me of the use of symbolism and possessions featured in Queen Elizabeth's famous portraiture. I recently emailed Vogue In regards of finding out more information on how the Givenchy Face Jewellery was created and what where the beginning influences used to create the collection.

Image taken by me from the Nation Portrait Gallery.

Queen Elizabeth I ('The Ditchley portrait')

by Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger c1952.

Louis Vuitton Exhibition.
180 Strand.
October 2015.
Taken on Samsung Galaxy A5.

I took this image in a separate room of the exhibition, where the walls were covered in images from photo shoots, polaroid cameras. Every image was spontaneous and expressive, always featuring some sort of movement either from the model or the accessory being worn in the image. I took this image because I had viewed the whole of the exhibition and this was the last room, where you were shown the finished images created to promote Louis Vuitton. I found this interesting to observe as a ordinary viewer and not a critical thinking, digital production student as now, beauty and fashion campaigns make me question how much editing has gone into each and every image I admire.

Louis Vuitton Exhibition.
180 Strand.
October 2015.
Taken on Samsung Galaxy A5.

This was an interesting object featured at the beginning of the exhibition, I took a photograph as it reminded me of the beautiful headpieces Alexander Mcqueen created in his Autumn Winter 2013 - 2014 collection, which was heavily inspired by Elizabethan history and fashion. I have researched his collection and discussed it in another blog.