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Ahead of Virgil Abloh‘s Paris Fashion Week debut with Louis Vuitton later tonight, his new coworker, LV’s Head of Design Men’s Footwear, Mathias Patillon, has offered a preview of Abloh’s very-first sneaker.
The vivid image, showing a pair of sneakers tossed into the air with only the bottom visible, draws immediate comparisons to the 1988 produced Air Jordan 3. The coloring, design, brand placement — everything leans toward a direct ode to the Tinker Hatfield designed silhouette. Although overt, this reference isn’t far removed from Abloh’s deconstruction of the Air Jordan 1 with his highly popular OFF WHITE collaboration.
Seen in greater detail on the feet of ASAP Rocky, a much more apparent departure from traditional sneaker design is noted. Contrasting the sporty outsole is a retro-fitted upper with unique paneling and an equally vintage ankle strap. Yet even with these aforementioned old school components, Abloh’s design evokes a modern contemporary emotion with premium materials and a high-arching build. The retro basketball sneaker is, to some degree, wrapped in a futuristic cocoon.
Abloh’s Louis Vuitton 408 Sneakers are expected to release in conjunction with the French fashion houses spring/summer 2019 collection.
Source: Upscale Hype
