[ Source: Hypebeast.com] Virgil Abloh was a visionary designer and entrepreneur who had a profound impact on sneaker culture and the fashion industry. He was known for his collaborations with Nike, which reimagined classic silhouettes with his signature deconstruction, quotation marks, and zip ties. He also brought his streetwear sensibility and creativity to Louis Vuitton, where he became the first Black artistic director of menswear in 2018. Here are some of his top Louis Vuitton/Nike collaborations that showcased his unique style and influence.
Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1: This collection featured 200 pairs of bespoke Air Force 1s, fusing the iconic sneaker with Louis Vuitton’s monogram, materials, and colors. The shoes were inspired by hip-hop culture and Abloh’s personal collection of vintage AF1s. The collection was sold at a Sotheby’s auction for a record-breaking $25.3 million, with proceeds going to the Virgil Abloh “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund.
Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Jordan 1: This sneaker was a one-of-a-kind creation that Abloh designed for Michael Jordan as a gift. The shoe combined the Air Jordan 1 silhouette with Louis Vuitton’s Damier pattern, leather, and hardware. The shoe also featured Abloh’s signature details, such as the orange tag, the red zip tie, and the “AIR” text on the midsole. The shoe was unveiled at Abloh’s Spring/Summer 2022 show in Paris.
Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Max 97: This sneaker was part of Abloh’s “The Ten” project with Nike, which reinterpreted 10 classic Nike models with his deconstructionist approach. The Air Max 97 was given a translucent upper with exposed stitching, a blue zip tie, and a gradient Swoosh. The shoe also had Louis Vuitton’s logo on the tongue and insole, as well as a number patch on the side. The shoe was released in limited quantities in 2019.
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