Louis Vuitton pulls out Michael Jackson-inspired items from fall 2019 menswear collection
World famous fashion brand Louis Vuitton has announced on Thursday that it is pulling out Michael Jackson-themed clothes from a new collection in the wake of the recent documentary Leaving Neverland, in which two men allege they were sexually assaulted by the pop icon when they were children.
The brand’s men’s autumn winter collection was designed by the label’s American designer Virgil Abloh. It was designed as the homage to Jackson’s “prodigious talent”.
Vuitton’s collection included a T-shirt printed with an image of Jackson’s feet mid-moonwalk, loafer-and- white-sock-clad models and sequin-encrusted pieces in homage to the singer’s over-the-top stage costumes.
It was displayed at Paris fashion week in January on a spectacular set inspired by his “Billie Jean” video.
Louis Vuitton’s men’s artistic director, Virgil Abloh in a statement said, “I am aware that in light of this documentary the show has caused emotional reactions”.
“I strictly condemn any form of child abuse, violence or infringement against any human rights”, he further added.
Designer further Continued, “My intention for this show was to refer to Michael Jackson as a pop culture artist. It referred only to his public life that we all know and to his legacy that has influenced a whole generation of artists and designers.”
Michael Burke, Vuitton’s chairman and chief executive officer, has also expressed the same in his statement, “We find the allegations in the documentary deeply troubling and disturbing. Child safety and welfare is of the utmost importance to Louis Vuitton. We are fully committed to advocating this cause.”
The statement further added that the documentary caused the label “the greatest pain” and that its team was “unaware” of the documentary on the day of the men’s runway show, which took place on Jan. 17, about a week before the Sundance premiere of “Leaving Neverland” on Jan. 25.
