THE Sotheby’s sold 200 pairs of sneakers designed by the creative director of Louis Vuitton, Virgil Abloh, who died last November, for a collective “record” of $25.3 million, the auction house revealed this week. The figure is eight times higher than the initial estimate of $3 million.
The special edition Louis Vuitton and Nike “Air Force 1” sneakers were designed for the Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer 2022, and the auction marked the first time the sneakers went on sale. A spokesperson for Sotheby’s told CNN on Thursday that, as a collection, the sneakers secured a “record auction” in fashion history.
Individual pairs of sneakers, however, have already fetched an even higher price at auction. That includes a pair of Nike Air Ships worn by basketball star Michael Jordan, which sold for $1.47 million in October 2021.
Abloh, who was the artistic director of menswear at Louis Vuitton – and the house’s first black artistic director – died in November at age 41 after battling in private for two years with a rare form of cancer.
The shoes ranged in size from 5 to 18, with the size 5 pair securing the highest price at $352,800 – more than 23 times its $15,000 estimate.
Sotheby’s said it received 10,000 offers in total – 40% of which came from Asia. More than two-thirds of bidders were under the age of 40.
Each pair was sold with an orange Louis Vuitton bag made from taurillon leather and reinterpreted from earlier designs from the fashion house’s archive.
Proceeds from the sale will go towards the Virgil Abloh “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund for Blacks, African Americans and students of African descent in the fashion industry.
Abloh was involved in the initial organization of the auction before he died. Charles F. Stewart, CEO of Sotheby’s, said in a statement that the “record” auction, which had “unparalleled global participation”, was testament to Abloh’s legacy as “one of the most visionary artists and designers of his generation, whose influence and impact are still palpable.”
In addition to being a fashion designer for Louis Vuitton, Abloh founded the Off-White brand. He was also a DJ and former creative director at the Donda design agency, owned by Kanye West, who is now known as Ye.
Source: CNN Brasil
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