Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2011 could be summed up in one word: Exoticism. Viewed from a Western perspective, it was the eponymous melding of 2 exotic cultures – Chinese Orientalism meets the African Safari; the fashion-forward modern Chinese Empress meets Queen of the African Safari

The Verdict: From the runway show, it was certainly obvious that Marc Jacobs was concentrating on evening looks, with beaded clutches and wristlet-cum-clutches dominating the runway. While the African theme wasn’t as obvious in the bags (or not even at all?!), the Oriental theme was certainly reflected – there were a clutches on which the flowers seemed to be handpainted, which I thought seems really appropriate for the upcoming Chinese New Year. I can’t really tell from the pictures, Marc Jacobs seems to be playing a lot with tassels and beading (as evidenced by the bumpy texture of the bags) this season. I’m quite certain it actually is beading and not stingray skin (with the same bumpy texture) simply because of the Chinese theme.

Also spotted on the runway were traces of the “laser-cut lace-esque overlays” – the ones that is resemble a cobwebbed version of the monogram, which is a spillover trend from this year’s F/W 2010 collection. Wristlets with “Vuitton” on them also seemed reminiscent of Stephen Sprouse’s “Louis Vuitton” Graffiti bags back in 2001. Hm, was this MJ’s way of paying tribute to the late Stephen Sprouse?

In sum, not just from the Vuitton runway, but taking into consideration all the S/S 2011 Fashion Week shows, it may be concluded that colour blocking is back in a big way. And yes, sling/crossbody bags and the small, structured vintage-esque bags, although a spillover trend from this year, has staying power, well… until next Spring that is.