Louis Vuitton collaborates with Sotheby’s, the world’s leading art and luxury destination, to auction 200 pairs of special editions of Louis Vuitton and Nike “Air Force 1” by Virgil Abloh sneakers with Louis Vuitton pilot cases. Bid is a link in a link chain Louis Vuitton events taking place from January to 2022. Proceeds will benefit The “Post-Modern” Virgil Abloh™ Scholarship Fund, which, in partnership with the Fashion Scholarship Fund, supports the education of promising students of Black, African American or African descent.

The auction marks the first ever release of the Louis Vuitton and Nike “Air Force 1” created by Virgil Abloh in collaboration with Louis Vuitton and Nike for the Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer 2022 collection. Before his death on November 28, 2021, the Louis Vuitton The Men’s Artistic Director was involved in the early organization of the auction and the events surrounding it. The auction will be held in association with his family.

Auction of Louis Vuitton and Nike “Air Force 1” sneakers by Virgil Abloh at Sotheby’s

Open for auction from January 26 to February 8, the Louis Vuitton and Nike “Air Force 1” by Virgil Abloh (Sothebys.com/NikexLV) dedicated, the online auction will include 200 pairs of a special edition of Louis Vuitton and Nike “Air Force 1” by Virgil Abloh sneaker originally created for the Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring-Summer 2022 collection. The 200 pairs of the special edition will be available in a range of sizes, from 5 to 18, with a starting bid of $2,000.

The sneakers, made entirely of precious calfskin, are adorned with Louis Vuitton iconic Monogram and Damier patterns with natural cowhide leather piping. Each pair will be sold with a Louis Vuitton pilot case, also Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer 2022 collection, which has been reinterpreted from the House’s archives in an iconic orange color and made in Monogram bullcalf leather.

The characteristics of the pilot box Louis Vuitton classic white metal S padlock closure and includes a luggage tag in the shape of a Nike Swooshes. The Pilot Case fits all shoe sizes, based on an internal cushioning system, and will be exclusive to the auction.

Sotheby’s has a long history of auctioning the rarest and most desirable sneakers and holds the world auction record for any pair of sneakers.

Auction proceeds will be donated to The “Post-Modern” Virgil Abloh™ Scholarship Fund, according to his wishes.

the Louis Vuitton and Nike “Air Force 1” by Virgil Abloh and the pilot case will be visible at Sotheby’s New York in a free public exhibition open from January 19 to February 8.

The Louis Vuitton and Nike “Air Force 1” collaboration by Virgil Abloh

the Nike Celebrating 40 years, the Air Force 1 was designed in 1982 and is one of the most successful and iconic shoes ever created. On the occasion of the Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer 2022 Men’s Show presented in June 2021, Virgil Abloh designed 47 pairs of Louis Vuitton and Nike “Air Force 1” by Virgil Abloh sneakers in collaboration with Nike.

The sneakers were made with materials used in Abloh’s Louis Vuitton men’s collections, merging the classic codes of basketball with the insignia and materials of Louis Vuitton in homage to the hip-hop culture that shaped it. The shoes were designed with his signature quotes echoing the written graphics abloh used to adorn his work. The individual styles designed for the show were made by Louis Vuitton in its shoe manufacturing Fiesso d’Artico, Italy.

The “Post-Modern” Virgil Abloh™ Scholarship Fund

In July 2020, Virgil Abloh created the Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund in partnership with the Fashion Scholarship Fund. Launched with a $1 million donation by Virgil Abloh and partners Evian, Farfetch, Louis Vuitton, New Guards Group, and Nike, its mission statement is to foster equity and inclusion within the fashion industry by providing scholarships to promising students of Black, African American, or African descent.

Virgil Abloh named the fund “Post-Modern” to signify that recipients will not only receive funds, but also career support services and mentorship through the FSF. “Post-Modern” Scholars are selected annually from FSF’s network of more than 66 colleges and universities across the United States, including eight HBCUs, in the annual FSF Scholarship competition.

The Louis Vuitton and Nike Community Campaign “Air Force 1” By Virgil Abloh Sneakers

From January 19, 2022, before the auction, select the people who have inspired Virgil Abloh and the collaboration will receive pairs from the Louis Vuitton and Nike “Air Force 1” by Virgil Abloh. These pairs will be in unique colorways and will not be auctioned or released later. The gesture honors from Abloh sees the original sneaker as a cultural symbol of the hip-hop heritage that nurtured him growing up.

Thanks to his practice Louis Vuitton, Virgil Abloh celebrated the cultures and communities that shaped its upbringing and vision. He considered the original Nike Air Force 1 as an emblem of this community, and recipients of the Louis Vuitton and Nike “Air Force 1” by Virgil Abloh the seeding authentically reflects this.

Louis Vuitton Exhibition and Louis Vuitton and Nike Store Launch “Air Force 1” by Virgil Abloh

Louis Vuitton will open an exhibition presenting the 47 original pairs of the men’s spring-summer 2022 collection, the details of which will be announced later. The event will precede the commercial launch of the Louis Vuitton and Nike “Air Force 1” by Virgil Abloh sneakers which will be available in limited quantities and exclusively through Louis Vuitton store network. This launch will feature different colorways than those auctioned in January and will be priced in line with the starting bids.

Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s has been bringing collectors together with world-class works of art since 1744. Sotheby’s became the first international auction house when it expanded from London to New York (1955), the first to conduct sales in Hong Kong (1973), India (1992) and France (2001), and the first international art auction house in China (2012). Today, Sotheby’s has a global network of 80 offices in 40 countries and presents auctions in 10 different salerooms, including New York, London, Hong Kong and Paris. Sotheby’s offers collectors the resources of Sotheby’s Financial Services, the world’s only full-service art finance company, as well as the collections, artists, estates and foundations advisory services of its subsidiary, Art Agency, Partners. Sotheby’s also presents private sales opportunities in over 70 categories, including S|2, the gallery arm of Sotheby’s Global Fine Art Division, and three retail outlets: Sotheby’s Wine, Sotheby’s Diamonds and Sotheby’s Home, the online marketplace for interior decoration.