Two hundred special edition pairs of Louis Vuitton Nike ‘Air Force 1’ by Virgil Abloh sneakers are set to go to auction on Sotheby’s.
The late Virgil Abloh designed the collaboration range for Louis Vuitton’s Spring-Summer Men’s collection this year to mark the kicks brand’s 40th anniversary.
Abloh viewed the original sneakers as a cultural symbol of the hip-hop heritage which nurtured his artistic roots growing up. He designed and presented 47 original pairs of Louis Vuitton and Nike ‘Air Force 1’ during the Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2022 Men’s show which took place last June.
All 200 pairs of this special edition will be made available in sizes ranging from 5 to 18, starting bid at $2000. The sneakers are made in calf leather accompanied by Louis Vuitton’s emblematic monogram and Damier patterns. The shoes will be sold in an orange Louis Vuitton monogrammed pilot case reinterpreted from the Maison’s archive made from Taurillon Leather.
Proceeds from the auction will go to the Virgil Abloh ‘Post-Modern’ Scholarship Fund, which in partnership with Fashion Scholarship Fund will support academically promising Black African-American students. The fund also provides ongoing career support services and mentoring through FSF.
Louis Vuitton will feature all original 47 pairs in an exhibition that is yet to be announced for its Spring Summer 2022 Men’s Collection. The sneakers unveiled by Virgil Abloh will be available in exclusive Louis Vuitton stores.
