Following the untimely passing of designer and creative force Virgil Abloh in November last year, the release of the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 was fraught with contention, with many worrying that the overhyped nature of the posthumous release would lead to price gouging on the resale market. Preemptively preventing this, Louis Vuitton has announced that 200 pairs of the rare Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 sneakers will be auctioned through Sotheby’s on the 26th January 2022 in association with Abloh’s family.
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Proceeds from the sneaker sale will go directly to Abloh’s Post Modern Scholarship Fund, which was established in 2020 to provide financial support to Black fashion students. Ranging from sizes 5 to 18, each pair of sneakers will have a starting bid of $2000 USD, with bids expected to easily go up to five figures. Not only will winning bidders take home a pair of the coveted sneakers, but they’ll also receive a luggage-inspired embossed orange pilot case.
The sneakers themselves are crafted from leather and canvas, and adorned with Louis Vuitton’s signature all-over monogram, with the toebox featuring the French maison’s Damier print. Abloh’s statement block lettering, made famous at Off-White, also features on the shoes, with ‘AIR’ emblazoned on the midsole and “LACET’ (the French word for lace) appearing on the laces. Orange accents make their way across the sneaker, featuring across the seams and lining the insides.
Following the auction, the general public will have a chance to get their hands on the sneakers through select Louis Vuitton boutiques worldwide. Louis Vuitton has also confirmed that all 47 colourways of the sneakers will be featured at an exhibition at a later date.
The rare Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 sneakers will also be displayed at Sotherby’s New York from 26th January to 8th February 2022. To try your hand at snagging a pair on the 26th January, head to the Sotherby’s website.
Words by AR Staff
