Virgil Abloh Pays Tribute to Michael Jackson In His Latest Collection for Louis Vuitton

The invite to Virgil Abloh’s second menswear collection for Louis Vuitton was a tell: a white diamante-encrusted glove. A video of it was posted to Instagram with the caption, “There’s only one.” Michael Jackson would be theme of the fall collection.

So how does that play out in Abloh’s mind?

The show opened with intro to “Thriller.” The first grouping of models zig-zagged the runway, a recreation of the intersection of Ludlow and Rivington Sts. in NYC’s Lower East Side, in shades of grey: double-layered suit jackets, military-inspired shirts, and puffer jackets and vests.

Getty ImagesPascal Le Segretain

Getty ImagesPascal Le Segretain

Getty ImagesPascal Le Segretain

In an interview with Interview Magazine, Virgil said he listens to Michael Jackson in his studio for inspiration.

“My next Louis Vuitton collection is going to be based on Michael Jackson,” he said, “and when I have Michael singing in the background, it’s a different type of shirt, it’s a different kind of boot, it’s a different fit of pants. Music is key.”

The light grey color palette gave way to darker charcoal grey, then black, before shades of purple peppered the runway.

Getty ImagesPascal Le Segretain

Getty ImagesPascal Le Segretain

And if you were wondering what the first must have/WTF accessory trend of the year would be, look for these blown-up backpacks and carryalls (truly you can carry everything in them).

Getty ImagesEstrop

Getty ImagesEstrop

Getty ImagesEstrop

He also showed glow-in-the-dark monogram bags and brought back the reflective sneaker trend:

Getty ImagesStephane Cardinale – Corbis

For the finale, a cluster of models walked out to a lively rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin Something” where model Alton Mason stole the show with his dance solo and multiple backflips before an overjoyed Virgil slipped out of the grocery store to do his final walk.

Everyone from Naomi Campbell looking like an absolute boss to Timothée Chalamet showed up for what has quickly become one of the must-see shows on the menswear circuit.

Getty ImagesBertrand Rindoff Petroff

Getty ImagesBertrand Rindoff Petroff