It Takes Guts: Jellyfish Float Through Louis Vuitton
Fashion and science worlds interfaced in early May in what hopefully stimulates the realization that a merger is overdue. Both fields require guts to investigate novel ideas, discover innovations, and lead the masses in imperative directions. This is the paragon of art and there are few venues that could have set the stage like the Salk Institute in La Jolla- architecture, innovation, and the ocean views. Getting stung by fashion was bound to happen.
The Louis Vuitton Cruise 2023 show took over Salk Institute in California. With the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop, Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquière put on a gutsy show for the the jellyfish. (Image: Louis Vuitton)
A picogram of designers can measure up to Nicolas Ghesquière, who regularly uses science and architecture as muses. His most memorable collections salute the cosmos and geometry. Three pieces flouncing sequentially during the LV Cruise 2023 show could be mistaken for floating jellyfish by a telescope on the moon. They inspire a dialogue on how seemingly disparate entities have commonalities that support survival through innovation.
Having guts is having fortitude to walk a runway edged by strangers, to create garments critiqued by everyone, and to design experiments judged by scholars. Spiritually, guts are represented by the yellow or light Manipura chakra at the solar plexus that rules transformation. Meditating on “Ram” can enhance these properties through metabolism of thought and emotions. Biologically, gut microbiomes govern our overall health through efficient metabolism of food. From the models that flounced mid-show, to the jellyfish that floated in the background ocean and the creators that occupied Salk that evening, gut microbiota ruled.
Environmental interactions provide the lush microbiome needed for survival and pursual of efforts that lead to innovation, metamorphosis and evolution. Both humans and jellyfish need habitable and nourishing environments that allow them to thrive- East coast to West coast, Atlantic to Pacific, salty* to polluted, cold to warm. Favorable conditions are preferred in the pursuit of a successful life, but getting too comfortable can lead to guts losing the ability to adapt and metabolize.
Phyllorhiza punctata (Australian spotted jellyfish) and Chrysaora melanaster (Pacific sea nettle) are nearly homogenous to the last 3 LV looks .
H. sapiens, P. punctata and C. melanaster host Firmicutes, a microbe that shapes and supports their lives primarily through energy transformation. Fashion evolves much like humans and jellyfish evolve to become fit for ever-changing environments. The equivalent of symbiotic microorganisms in fashion are celebrities and editors promoting designers.
Firmicutes** = “tough skin”
Tough, or thick, skin has literal and metaphorical translations. Firmicutes have thick cells walls, so they are literally resilient under extreme circumstances. Jellyfish, on the other hand, have physically thin skin, but are metaphorically thick-skinned due to their adaptability. The same applies for scientists and fashionistas- harsh criticism by Reviewer number 2 or Page Six can lead either one to a Twitter rant to defend their work and adapt to their environment, or they can whimper away and take less challenging roles.
Organisms prefer familiar spaces that are less threatening in comparison to new environments. But, adaptability is fundamental to survival because being thrown into an unfamiliar space can be detrimental to success. Jellyfish involuntarily drift into waters, but thrive in ones that are safe and agreeable- ideal salt and temperature, and less predators. Fashion and science people rarely venture outside of their areas due the fear of being ridiculed for being an outsider. Nobody wants to float with salty predators.
Bottom Line:
Sometimes migrating species can be seen as “invaders”, but not if symbiotic relationships are formed. P. punctata eat shrimp, thus disrupting fisheries. And, I’m sure some scientists were disrupted when their research campus transformed into a runway, like some fashionistas were bothered to travel to the California for a show outside of their NYC and Paris comfort zones. Making the effort to migrate across oceans to inspire innovative collaboration between fashion and science is hosting the vision to create a future where we strategically adapt and evolve. From today’s Aura x Gucci wearables to the future of ocean and Mars suits**, symbiotic co-existence is a requisite for survival. Unless you don't have the guts.
*The Atlantic Ocean is the saltiest in the world because a lot of bodies of water flow into it.
**200+ types of bacteria fall under this phylum. Some are probiotics like Lactobacilli in your morning yogurt.
***With sea levels rising due to climate change, we should figure out how to live on water. Regular galoshes won’t do.