The journey of a traveller was a common theme for the autumn/winter 2013 menswear shows but no one has done it quite like Louis Vuitton. Menswear style director Kim Jones travelled to the mountains of the Himalayas and the kingdom of Bhutan, inspired by the textures, cultures and creatures of these faraway lands. Taking his cue from mountaineering tech and tradition, Kim has created a layer which mixes tailoring with traditional, luxurious outerwear. The parkas and overcoats were the real highlight for me, lovely sumptuous furs, sheepskin and shearling in soft shades of creams, tans and slate greys.
Bhutanese motifs are sprinkled throughout the collection from the checks and stripes inspired by the national dress to snow leopard patterns, which appear in subtle accents through to all-over pattern. Subtle, refined and detail heavy, the collection has me dreaming of Himalayan winters.
Think this might be the first menswear collection I have really been impressed with this season.