Less is more ... Louis Vuitton F/W 2008-09

Fall comes in a demure mood on the catwalks. At Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs is taking "less is more" concept to the max with no va va voom or eye-catching avant garde pieces just like what he offered to his fanatic fans this season, which is all about deconstruction and sheerness.

Staged at the TBC to again, the usual likes of top notch fashion editors and journalists, celebrities such as award-winning director and fashion designer Sofia Coppola, burlesque queen Dita von Teese and former Miu Miu face actress Maggie Gyllenhaal and international buyers alike, the fall/winter 2008-09 collection combines the futuristic looks inspired by the late Cristobal Balenciaga in the 60's with a dose of eccentricity (think Alexander McQueen) and liberal use on heavy fabrics, something that all of us needed to confront the freezing seasons.

Black, gray, mint, cream, and beige makes up this season's working palette and missing in action (or better still, least showing) are the overwhelming metallic, shiny extravagant embellishments, and rich embroideries.

Kicking off the show was model Egle Tvuirbutaite, walking on the minimalist runway in ribbed long sleeve top with standing collar in dark gray, paired with a light gray baggy balloon pants with blue ostrich leather belt, whimsical metallic necklace and a pair of ostrich leather gloves, also in gray.

Funny headpieces such as pointed fez in extreme height and a felt headpiece that resembling a coiffed hair in black with contemporary metallic jewelries with modernist shapes dominated the accessories collection.

Round neck cashmere tees with quarter sleeves was smartly tucked into belted high-waisted balloon pants of the similar tone while most jackets and outerwear features scroliform necklines (look back at Snow White's dress neckline) and darted, thus fitting nicely to the wearer's body silhouette.

At a single glance, the mint long jacket worn model Sara Bloomqvuist, accessorized with the conical fez resembles closely (well, almost) to the apparel worn by the Druze, a spiritual group from the Middle East. For skirt lovers, skirts comes in either classic wide or penciled with or without flared hemlines and belted.

Moving to dress section, the dresses are smartly constructed and adorned with plethora of folds and pleats. There's a bustier dress in shiny brown (probably satin or shantung), long-sleeved dress with a standout whorl at the hip and fully-embellished, sheath dress with a caged tulle bustle and the must-have crinoline dress.

For ensembles, one can look forward to smart tailored pants and skirt suits such as black body-con jacket with flared hem paired with tailored balloon pants detailed with metal wire rings, cinched waisted jacket with metallic lapels in mint with matching balloon pants, shiny mint darted skirt suit with cinched waisted zip front top folded on the shoulders and pleated hem, as well as pant suit in similar tone and fabric (shiny and mint) with long-sleeve A-line shaped buttonfront top and two-tiered scroliform neckline adorned with mettalic brooch.

As usual, the must have Vuitton bag for the forthcoming fall/winter 2008 are high platform heels with square toes, timeless slouchy handbags with long straps, quilted monogram suede hobos with python strap and detailing with gold-toned hardwares.

Also hot on the Vuitton runway is the revamped version of Mirroir sans the overpowering gleam decorated with tassel and silvery hardware, ostrich leather gloves, and oversized leather clutch emblazoned with Louis Vuitton Paris outlined wording printed in gold with chain strap.

Dare enough to make new fashion statement in the public? If you do then do it with pride by putting on the whimsical yet ultra-minimalist metal ring waist choker (since it looks like a choker rather than belt) held together with black fabric ribbons around your svelte waist to replace the overrated wide and thin belts as well as the whimsical coiffed hairlike headpieces in stitched leather to complete your a la Grace Jones circa 1980's look.

Louis Vuitton fall/winter 2008-09 ready-to-wear and accessories collection will be available at Louis Vuitton stores on fall 2008 while the spring/summer 2008 collection is available in stores now.

*Photos by Matteo Volta/Style.com

Louis Vuitton - Adorn Floor, Starhill Gallery, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur; Ground Floor, Suria KLCC, Jalan Ampang, 50088 Kuala Lumpur.