With the rise of all things nerd/geek becoming part of Pop Culture we see more and more traditionally “nerdy” things going mainstream. Fashion is no exception.
Until recently, there was a gapping black hole where women centric nerd merchandise should be. In the past we had to buy men’s clothing and either wear as it was, shrink it, or alter it to make it work. Then some entrepreneurial spirits took up arms and started providing us with t-shirts, leggings, skirts, dresses, etc. Eventually mainstream caught up and now it’s an anomaly to find a major chain not selling female fandom clothing. Even if they only sell Marvel and Star Wars it’s still a huge step.
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So it wasn’t much of a surprise when “Star Wars inspired” fashion started sauntering down the runway. Hell, at least one designer completely did away with the “inspired by” label and just printed images from the original trilogy straight onto the fabric. (As an aside, I would rock every single one of those outfits if I had that kind of cash.) Louis Vuitton has now one upped everyone. Lightning, from the game Final Fantasy XIII, is now a bona fide fashion model starring in the SERIES 4: The Heroine Spring-Summer 2016 campaign.
From the Louis Vuitton website:
Her name is Lightning and she flashes through fabulous worlds in search of her sister who is being held captive.
Lightning pushes the idea of the heroine even further. It is logical that the Maison Louis Vuitton would explore the infinite possibilities of the virtual world and ask this fantasy character to interpret the essence of a heroine.
Today Lightning, the heroic figure in ‘Final Fantasy’, the cult series of video games that has inspired more than 100 million players around the world, agrees to become a character in the Louis Vuitton galaxy. The Maison has always pushed the boundaries of reality and dreams. Real, virtual, incarnate, metaphorical: Lightning is the fruit of Square Enix studios’ imagination, and she raises the question of immanence – that which takes place solely in the mind – in tomorrow’s world.
“It’s clear that the virtual aesthetic of video games is predominant in this collection. If we push the reflection about heroines, or what might constitute the nature of a woman whose actions can be so courageous that she becomes superior and iconic, it becomes obvious that a virtual entity integrates with the founding principles of the Maison. Lightning is the perfect avatar for a global, heroic woman and for a world where social networks and communications are now seamlessly woven into our life. She is also the symbol of new pictorial processes. How can you create an image that goes beyond the classic principles of photography and design? Lightning heralds a new era of expression.” – Nicolas Ghesquière
The collection is inspired by heroines, as stated in the campaign title, with three videos centering around one heroine each. The heroines are Lightning, Doona Bae and Jaden Smith. Yes, I said Jaden Smith. He wears a skirt, and possibly makeup in his video, basically he dons woman’s clothing and works it. Each video comes with it’s own description, similar to what was done with Lightning, in Jaden’s they make a point to mention the abolition of traditional gender norms. I heartily approve. It’s also quite fantastic to see Doona Bae getting some more love and recognition.
At any rate, here is Lightning’s video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImWljqM8kG8
Take away the high fashion and put her into armor, give her a sword and this is very reminiscent of her moves in the game. It’s a great way to think outside the box and take a virtual character into the real world. Hell, the majority of clothes and armor in the Final Fantasy games could, in theory, be on runways around the world. It really is a good pairing.
However, there is one thing that bugs me about Lightning’s description; she is touted as THE heroic figure in Final Fantasy. While that is true of Final Fantasy XIII I just really want to push my glasses up, raise my hand, and “um actually” that statement. She is not THE heroic figure of the Final Fantasy franchise, as the statement alludes, she is ONE of many heroic figures. For the most part, Final Fantasy is an anthology series, each number does not denote a sequel but, rather, a self contained chapter. Of course these chapters do spawn their own sequels, but that’s not what we’re talking about here.
To be fair, hers is the only main Final Fantasy entry to star a female main protagonist as opposed to a male main character. Most of the other female lead installments are sequels, and Final Fantasy VI is iffy on the main character being female as there are so many characters. All Final Fantasy games have their female secondary characters but the stories traditionally revolve around a male.
Louis Vuitton (obviously) partnered with Square Enix to make this fashion spread come to life. Honestly, I love it. I’m excited the things that I love are no longer marginalized but are rocketing into all aspects of our culture/society. I would love to see more of this kind of thing. Why can’t we have Cloud, or Tifa, or Yuffie, or even Aerith? What about Barrett! That would be ah-mazing. Final Fantasy VII Remake is coming out at some point so perfect time to do this. They could even make a model out of their newest protagonist from the upcoming Final Fantasy XV, Noctis Lucis Caelum. Come on fashion and video game worlds, get on that!
Before publishing, I did do one last search, just to see if there was anything interesting I may have missed, or anything new. The top hit, an exclusive interview Lightning did with Telegraph UK. Lightning, the video game character, did an interview. Sure, I can dig it. The overriding theme throughout the interview, besides how proud she is to be part of the LV campaign, is that of change. She discusses how she may be finding new versions of herself, ones that she never knew existed and even hints at a new Final Fantasy XIII game.
One day, not so far in the future, I will be out there again, in a world of strife. But I won’t be the same person I was before. I will return to my origins, like a Mobius strip, but it’ll be a new me, one who has evolved.
I look forward to the day we meet again.
Final Fantasy XV this year, VII Remake at some point and now, possibly, a new XIII. I love the FF series, give me more!
That being said, I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this interview. On the one hand it’s again thinking outside the box and brining a fictional character into the real world. On the other hand it’s an interview with a fictional character as if she is real.
You know what, never mind. I like it. I like kooky and interesting things and that interview definitely falls under one of those categories. I hope the gaming industry keeps pushing boundaries and does more of the unexpected. It benefits everyone to continue to blur lines like this.
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