Designer Virgil Abloh once again rocked sneaker culture today (June 24, 2021) with the reveal of a first time ever Louis Vuitton and Nike Air Force 1 collaboration on the label’s spring 2022 runway presentation. Available in a mix of high, mid and low silhouettes, the collection of 21 sneakers makes use of an array of colors and luxe material stories including LV’s famed Damier canvas.
Leaving behind the plastic zip tie that have been a signature of Abloh’s Off-White collaborations with Nike, the shoes are detailed with “LACES” on the shoelaces, “AIR” out the outsole and are detailed with a jagged edge tag on the tongue and the back end of the Swoosh.
Taking inspiration from the Air Force 1 customized sneakers that have long been a cornerstone of hip hop style, the collection is a full circle moment and is described by Abloh as “the inherent art of hip-hop and its contributions to culture and art history at large.”
Fusing the codes of Louis Vuitton and Nike, Abloh tapped Chicago-born artist Reginald Jolley, better known as Reggieknow, to create a collage featuring the sneakers as worn by Aaliyah, a breakdancer with a beat box, a Bentley and a DJ.
Reggieknow also illustrated the characters used in Louis Vuitton’s “The Adventures of Zoooom With Friends,” a four-minute short highlighting the spring 2021 runway show. The partnership marked the first time the label has ever collaborated with a Black creative on a runway presentation.
As of now, there’s no info on pricing or launching time, though word has it the collection will be sold through Louis Vuitton, similar to the luxury label’s Supreme collaboration.
