After a pricy RM Sotheby’s auction, a sneaker-sculpture art exhibition and delays, the late Virgil Abloh’s Nike x Louis Vuitton Air Force 1s will finally be available to consumers on July 19.
Abloh, a groundbreaking designer who merged streetwear and high fashion and served as Louis Vuitton’s first Black menswear director, crafted 47 bespoke Nike Air Force 1 designs baring the high-fashion label’s insignia before his untimely passing last November.
Nine of those designs were originally expected to be offered to VIP customers in June, but now Hypebeast is reporting that the upscale sneaks will be available for anyone to purchase on July 19.
Highlights of the collection include a classic all-white sneaker embossed with the Louis Vuitton Monogram, as well as a riff on the same design in black suede.
Two-tone editions in white with either green, red or blue detailing hark to Abloh’s rainbow motif, while a metallic gold sneaker pays homage to the designer’s debut collection for Louis Vuitton’s flagship Maison location.
See descriptions of all nine below:
- White mid-top in Monogram embossed plain calf leather.
- White low-top in Monogram embossed plain calf leather.
- Black low-top in Monogram embossed calf suede.
- White and Gym Green low-top in a trompe-l’oeil canvas executed in printed Monogram leather and Monogram embossed calf leather.
- White and Comet Red low-top in a trompe-l’oeil canvas executed in printed Monogram leather and Monogram embossed calf leather
- White and Team Royal Blue low-top in a trompe-l’oeil canvas executed in printed Monogram leather and Monogram embossed calf leather
- Gold low-top in Monogram embossed metallic canvas.
- Silver and multi-colour patchwork low-top in Monogram embossed calf suede and monogram embossed metallic canvas.
- Sail and Multicolor mid-top in Damier leather with an Azur graffiti print (available in sizes 5-18)
The bad news is that prices for the the low- and mid-tops have increased from $2,096 and $2,620 to $2,750 and $3,450. Don’t be surprised if they break five figures on the aftermarket, where many of these kicks will likely crop up in the hours following their initial sales.
But those who miss the upcoming first drop can look forward to a second drop featuring 12 more colorways, bringing the total number of Virgil Abloh-designed Nike x LV AF1s offered publicly to 21.
Drop 1 goes live on Louis Vuitton’s website on July 19. Click here to receive a notification when orders go live.
