Jaden Smith LV Campaign: Fashion Forward or Fashion Misstep?
Jaden Smith - teen actor, rapper, Twitter philosopher and self proclaimed scientist - is the new face of Louis Vuitton's Spring / Summer '16 campaign. For womenswear.
Social media frenzy ensued within seconds of the preview of the campaign being posted on photo sharing app Instagram by Nicolas Ghesquiere, creative director of Louis Vuitton. Reactions ranged from appreciative to confused to bewildered to nonchalant. Photographed by Bruce Weber, Jaden Smith is seen wearing a leather jacket over a fringed top and an embellished skirt. The confidence he exudes is undeniable as he proves he isn't any less of a man as he poses in women's clothing. The campaign also features female models Sarah Brannon, Rianne Van Rampaey and Jean Campbell.
The product of unconventional parenting by active scientologists Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, 17 year old Jaden has always refused to conform to society's stereotypes. He is as famous for his eccentric remarks - “How can mirrors be real if our eyes aren't real?” “Dying is mainstream” and “Most trees are blue” - as he is for his outlandish and gender neutral fashion. Even before featuring on LV’s womenswear campaign, Jaden’s sartorial choices have been devoid of the rigid guidelines that define and encompass what is generally accepted as menswear, or even mainstream. He famously wore a skirt to a year end dance with Mecca Kalani, a white Batman suit to Kim’s and Kanye’s wedding, posted a picture on Instagram of him trying on a dress at Topshop and was also seen wearing a dress on a day out. He was also - much to the surprise of a vocal few - named one of GQ’s Most Stylish Men in 2015.
Fashion constantly pushes its boundaries, dipping its foot into uncharted territory, and Louis Vuitton's brand rehabilitation could not have come at a better time - especially considering LV’S high luxury cachet has suffered a near fatal blow in recent seasons. Ghesquiere - one of the world's most respected designers - was enlisted to energise and re-elevate Louis Vuitton’s fashion offering, a feat he seems to have achieved with significant success. What many might consider a controversial choice - featuring a male as the face of a womenswear collection and adorned in same - has generated a renewed buzz and interest in the Louis Vuitton brand. Ghesquiere’s decision to move beyond gender neutral fashion and feature Jaden in womenswear comes at a time that has seen an increased acceptance of androgynous clothing. But to most, this may seem like an invisible line has been crossed - after all, men and women are mostly discerned by their clothes. That self identity and gender specific outfits are what makes us different. Others argue that this is treading on transgender territory. With many publications and individuals reasoning that “male-to-female transgender people rely on props like clothes, shoes, makeup and hairstyles to create the gender identity they want to portray to the world because most of the time their bodies alone are unable to do that.”
In light of all the differences of opinion that have ensued, is this a foot forward or a foot out of line? Jaden is, without a doubt, one of the world's most recognizable ambassadors for gender non-specific fashion. It is almost too easy to pick on him, to label him, and call him weird for not conforming to society's ideal. You can choose to blame Louis Vuitton for capitalizing on that. You can choose to love or hate: him, his fashion, his views, his comments. But if there’s one thing we cannot deny, it is that this young man is unbelievably comfortable and confident in his skin, society be damned.
We asked a few people, is Jaden stepping the line by appearing in womenswear? Here’s what they had to say:
Tarja (Designer)
I don't mind at all that Jaden Smith is in women's wear. He looks good. Androgyny is nothing new to the fashion world. If women can dress up in men's clothes, men can dress up in women's clothes. Fashion has no gender: the Scottish wear kilts, Sri Lankan men wear sarongs - how you choose to wear it and the culture in which you live will determine how your attire is interpreted. For this LV campaign, Jaden fits right in. They have sparked controversy in return giving them good publicity. I'd say this is a good marketing tactic.
Katelyn (Student)
Jaden Smith is wearing whatever he wants which is how it should be. Who cares what clothes society deems is acceptable to wear? I don't think gender should dictate your style choices and frankly I don't know why people are freaking out about this. I wear men's clothing all the time and I think it looks cute. And if you didn't think it looked cute, then wear whatever makes YOU comfortable.
Eranga (Student)
I've always felt like you should wear what makes you comfortable and good. If Jaden feels like wearing a skirt, then good for him. If you don't like wearing clothes that you think belongs to the other sex(es) then don't. Regardless, none of you have the right to tell anyone what to do with their money. I wear my girlfriend's fluffy purple pyjamas even to my university and I feel fabulous.
Kasun (Designer)
Definitions are for the norm. The only issue here is the spectator viewing the campaign with a preconceived notion of Jaden Smith's sexual identity. The subject is gender fluidity and it is amazing how men are adapting to womenswear the same way women have included menswear in their wardrobe. I think it's a great idea, and I myself have an androgynous edge to how I dress and who needs boundaries anyway?
By Rihaab Mowlana
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0 Comments
David says:
Jan 07, 2016 at 12:00 amPervert!