In a glittering evening at LA Fashion Week in Hollywood, all eyes were on the Luis De Javier show, undoubtedly the standout event of the week. The prodigious Spanish designer unveiled his Spring-Summer 2024 collection, «La Ruta,» with a special appearance by none other than Riccardo Tisci, the former creative director of Burberry and Givenchy, who has been mentoring De Javier for the past year and a half.
Luis De Javier, the emerging London-based designer who launched his label in 2020, made waves at New York Fashion Week last March. Over the past few seasons, he’s garnered attention from top-tier celebrities, particularly in California. Icons such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and Kylie Jenner have all fallen under the spell of his creations.
Riccardo Tisci, offering his words of encouragement ahead of the show, expressed his pride in guiding De Javier through this pivotal experience: «I’m delighted to have stood by your side during this journey! My greatest joy has been witnessing your unwavering passion and creativity. My parting advice: savor this show, for first times are a rarity.»
The «La Ruta» collection is a fusion of queer, dark, sexy, and chic aesthetics. It reimagines the 90s hardcore rave movement in Spain, known as «La Ruta del Bakalao,» which faced suppression by oppressive forces. De Javier explained, «Fashion has always been a mirror reflecting and exploring socio-political issues. With this collection, we aim to shed light on pressing matters, such as the rise of nationalist, far-right political parties affecting Spain and the world today.»
In front of a packed and enthusiastic audience, Luis De Javier showcased 25 extraordinary looks. The show began with a striking black latex dress paired with a sweatshirt worn as a veil. The collection featured gender-fluid corsets, puffed-sleeve effects with a hint of religiosity, leather jackets with a touch of biker armor, and oversized jackets combined with bikinis.
The juxtaposition of heaven and hell served as a central theme, evident in silhouettes inspired by the devil, complete with horns, long dresses, and sharp black nails. Masked and caped heroines seemed to symbolize a path of resistance, accompanied by the techno beats of LSDXOXO. The makeup, a pivotal part of the show, was masterfully handled by Humanoid, a new LA-based skinwear brand.
Luis De Javier concluded the evening with a promise of more to come, stating on his Instagram account, «Last night was just the beginning. Ready to deliver stunning collections every season. A heartfelt thank you to my mentor, Riccardo Tisci, for guiding me through this exciting new chapter; it’s a memory I will cherish forever.»
