AFP recently reported that,Sotheby’s said that 200 pairs of Louis Vuitton-Nike basketball shoes, hand-painted by the late designer Virgil Abloh, fetched more than $25 million in total, with an average price of more than $100,000 per pair. Expensive pair over $350,000.
According to the report, this far exceeded the expectations of Sotheby’s auction house. Previously, each pair of shoes was estimated at between $5,000 and $15,000, and the starting price was only about $2,000. 200 pairs of maroon, white and cream “Air Force 1” (Air Force 1) sneakers, Louis Vuitton and Nike joint masterpiece. The auction was originally expected to start on January 26 and end on February 8, but was delayed by a day as the auction boomed. The most expensive pair of shoes sold for $352,800 at auction.
The sneakers were shown in June 2021 as part of Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 2022 collection, when Virgil Abloh was still its streetwear guru. However, the Dashi master died young, at the age of 41 when he died of cancer in November last year.
Over the years, sneakers have become collectibles that can fetch tens of thousands of dollars at auction. In order to stimulate young people and expand their customer base, some luxury brands have begun to cooperate with sports goods or streetwear manufacturers in order to create a collectible effect.
Sotheby’s, Louis Vuitton and Nike have said that Abloh was involved in preparations for the auction before his death, and that the proceeds will go to the “Fergil Abloh Postmodern Scholarship Foundation.” The fund is mainly used to support the training of African Americans and African college students. (Compile / Lulongjun)
