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Special edition »Air Force 1« by Louis Vuitton and Nike
Photo: ED JONES / AFP
200 pairs of sneakers designed by the recently deceased star designer Virgil Abloh have been auctioned for a total of 25 million dollars – around 22 million euros.
The most expensive pair of the special edition »Air Force 1« from the luxury label Louis Vuitton and the sporting goods giant Nike was sold for more than $350,000, according to the auction house Sotheby's.
The brown, beige and white shoes, which pick up on the famous Louis Vuitton patterns and the equally famous Nike logo, were presented in June 2021 as part of the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2022 collection.
Abloh, who died of cancer at the end of November at the age of 41, was responsible for menswear at Louis Vuitton.
Far exceeded Sotheby's expectations
The 200 identical pairs of sneakers were offered at the auction, which has been running since January 26, at a starting price of 2,000 dollars.
They were auctioned off along with an orange pilot's case.
Sotheby's expectations were far exceeded at the auction.
The auction house had expected a price between 5,000 and 15,000 dollars per pair.
On average, more than $100,000 was achieved.
The cheapest pair was auctioned for around $75,000.
Proceeds from the auction will benefit a foundation set up by Abloh to support African American or African students in areas such as fashion and marketing.
The long-time creative advisor to rapper Kanye West, who died on November 28, was known far beyond the world of fashion like no other designer and was a star, especially among young people.
The trained architect became known worldwide with his luxury streetwear brand Off-White.
His move to French luxury label Louis Vuitton in 2018 also made headlines for being the first African American to hold the position.
kim/AFP