Louis Vuitton unveiled LVxNBA, the House’s first menswear capsule collection with the National Basketball Association (NBA) with creations by Virgil Abloh, Men’s Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton.
Intertwining French craftmanship with American sports, Virgil Abloh created LVxNBA, a limited clothing and accessories line uniting the emblems of the two institutions. The collection adapts the Men’s Artistic Director’s codes with the iconography of the basketball universe and honors the values of relatability and inclusion key to his vision at Louis Vuitton. Three definitive expressions of style for every NBA player are represented: travel, game arrivals, and press conferences. Travel is embodied in looks such as a grey cashmere tracksuit adorned with graphics informed by the lines of a basketball. Game arrivals manifest in a variety of pieces including a blue hooded leather jacket and a Keepall featuring a netted side detail evoking a basketball hoop, while press conference looks are articulated in suits and a dress shirt.
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Throughout the collection, the visual identity of the NBA assimilates into existing Louis Vuitton motifs. For example, the NBA logo is employed to striking effect in an infinite houndstooth pattern used in tailoring, shirting and a tie. It also appears on a varsity jacket featuring the LV initials on the back. Multi-functional bags draw on the red, blue and white colors of the NBA’s logo, and the collection sees the debut of a multi-pocket backpack in the classic Monogram with white contrast straps as a nod to the graphics associated with the game. In addition to the netted Keepall, a Christopher backpack and Nil messenger are likewise interpreted through the NBA lens. Shoes meld the insignia of Louis Vuitton and the NBA in classic loafers, chunky-soled leather derbies, slip-ons, and in lace-up leather boots; each recognizable by the new LVxNBA emblem embossed on the foot-bed. Continuing the conversation between sports and craftsmanship, fashion jewelry pieces employ the NBA logos as distinctive pendants.