Show; Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012

In times of economic hardship, the role of fashion is to provide escapism for those affected. Fewer fashionistas have thousands of pounds to spend on an entire collection, meaning that designers have strayed away from gimmicks and now aim to create pieces that are subdued enough to be classic, but also intricate enough to stand out from the crowd. To show this, the world of fashion has settled itself firmly in the realm of fantasy; many designers created a world of their own for their shows; whether it be the magnificent underwater paradise of Chanel, complete with life-size seahorses or the glorious carousel that set the scene for the Louis Vuitton Spring collection. Creative director Marc Jacobs opened the show by unveilling the carousel, and all of the models displaying his latest collection. It was a spectacular sight lifted straight from a fashion fairytale, rendering many of the fash-pack speechless. The show was proof that while the economy suffers, the grandeur of the fashion industry continually refuses to be stifled.

The carousel; Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012

With this, the show began. The collection itself was delicate and understated, and extremely cohesive. The pastel colour scheme was occasionally offset by starched white shirts, but overall dusty pinks and lemon yellows were complimented by gorgeous powder blues, creating a vision of understated elegance. Every piece was an exercise in femininity; inspiration from the '40s and '50s was evident in the drop-waists and full skirts, designed to flatter women of all shapes and sizes. Structured jackets were accessorised with exquisite laser-cut collars and oversized buttons, whereas cut-out flowers were displayed on evening dresses, giving them a modern twist.

Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012

Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012

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In terms of accessories, Jacobs did the unexpected and chose to revive the mule - a controversial move considering the clumpy variety last seen at the turn of the decade. However, the new mule is understated and elegant - pointy-toed and in a colour combination of metallic and pastel, Jacobs continued his vision and has effectively started a trend. Models wore tiaras in their swept-back hair whereas handbags were structured and traditional in the same sumptious colour palette as the rest of the collection.

A modern princess - Tiara at Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012

, As well as being one of the most-talked-about shows of the season, Jacobs also succeeded in sparking the pastel trend that has dominated the high street, as well as taking on the almost-impossible task of reviving the mule. Fighting off talk that he will soon be moving to Dior, Jacobs did what he does best and created a fantasy world of his own with intricate detailing and beautiful gowns. This show is true proof that fashion, more than anything, is about fantasy.

Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012 Details