Louis Vuitton's Latest Model Isn't A Real Person

The fashion world often uses technology as inspiration for design, but designer Nicolas Ghesquiere is taking this idea to another level after casting of Final Fantasy 's Lightning for Louis Vuitton's Spring 2016 campaign. The pink-haired hero stars in the upcoming ads for the luxury brand, which Ghesquiere previewed on Instagram on Monday. The character of Lightning first appeared on the popular video game franchise in 2009's Final Fantasy XIII.

The first set of images shared by Ghesquiere shows Lightning decked out in Louis Vuitton's spring ready-to-wear collection that showed during Paris Fashion Week. Looking back, that runway show referenced digital technology and graphics from Minecraft, so it makes sense for the campaign to feature a recognizable video game character. In one photo, Lightning wears a black cropped top and printed shorts while carrying one of Vuitton's handbags. The other features the virtual model wearing a sheer, long sleeved black top and carrying another quilted purse.

According to Ghesquiere's post, the Final Fantasy-inspired campaign is a collaboration between the fashion house, video game developer Square Enix, and Japanese artist Tetsuya Nomura. Last week, rumors swirled that Jaden Smith will star in a Louis Vuitton campaign, but it looks like the young star was edged out by Lightning for the series of ads.

While it's a bold and unexpected move to use a video game character — a strong female one at that — for its Spring 2016 ads, I would have rather seen Louis Vuitton feature more diverse models in its upcoming campaign. Still, the choice to use Final Fantasy's hero definitely falls in line with the 2016 Met Gala theme "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology."

Hopefully we'll get to see Lightning make an appearance (via hologram, perhaps?) on the grand steps of the Met wearing Vuitton at next year's Gala.

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Images: Nicolas Ghesquiere/Instagram