Why Louis Vuitton’s all-Asian cast was so important

As the fashion industry’s ship slowly sets sail into the ‘new normal’, Virgil Abloh’s Louis Vuitton Men’s SS21 show served as a timely reminder of how far we’ve come over the last five or so years when it comes to diversity in casting. Specifically that diversity is no longer just about inclusivity solely in terms of race; it’s more interesting now. It’s about refusing to appease Western beauty standards, saying no to the monopoly of chiselled jaws, Bambi eyes, rippling abs and bulging biceps. The fashion industry is realising that this over-sexualised vision of the male model is outdated, swapping it out for a focus on unique individuals who are relatable but extraordinary in their own right.