THE “VIRGIL TOUCH”

Despite passing away to an aggressive form of cancer on November 28th, 2021, Virgil Abloh continues to impact the sneaker and fashion world. The full scope of what he had in store for his NIKE, Inc. partnership will likely never be disclosed, but the Louis Vuitton Air Force 1 collection that he previewed last summer has dominated headlines over the last week. Sotheby’s auction of a limited-to-200-pairs version of Abloh’s presumably last Nike Air Force 1 began on January 26th and has received bids of up to $70,000 USD for Lot 178, marking a significant moment in the sneaker’s 40-year history. With 10 days left in the auction, it’s very possible that at least one pair of the Off-White-frontman’s three-way collaboration with L.V. and the Swoosh will fetch $100K USD or more. And to think, Bruce Kilgore designed the model for basketball in 1982.

Another made-for-basketball sneaker that’s developed into a lifestyle and skateboarding staple (the latter courtesy of Nike SB), Peter Moore’s Barley Paisley Dunks – designed in 1985 – also spent time in the spotlight over the last seven days. The silhouette was widely-dismissed as a Nike Outlet mainstay throughout most of the 2010s, but the late-Abloh helped catapult it into the mainstream sneaker consciousness from 2017 onwards. Upcoming collaborations with Gnarhunters and inline paisley-covered collections demonstrate that Nike isn’t ready to shelf the 37-year-old design just yet.

EARNING STRIPES

Over the last 73 years, adidas has captivated global audiences both on its own and with select members of an extended family. Ye – the being formerly known as “Kanye West” – is undoubtedly the brand’s most important collaborator of the last 10 years, but a handful of other creatives, artists and influencers that’ve partnered with the German company are earning their stripes at their own pace. Among them, Bad Bunny and Beyoncé, the former having recently (indirectly) unveiled an Insert handshake emoji here. There’s no telling if and when the Puerto Rican reggaetonero will rival the scale of the Yeezy line. The 27-year-old, however, has stamped his birth name (Benito) onto his final collaboration with the Three Stripes, which is a step in the right direction.

Elsewhere in the sneaker world, Chicago’s Notre boutique revealed a Vans OG Style 36 LX set featuring its now-signature handshake motif, while the James Whitner-led Social Status was associated to a new colorway of the Nike Air Max Penny 1 donning interchangeable profile swooshes.

For a look at all that and more, check out our top headlines from January 22nd to January 28th here below.

Air Jordan 6 "Olympic"
With 10 days left in the auction.
READ MORE: Louis Vuitton Air Force 1

Iron Ore Jordan 1 Low
They’re selling.
READ MORE: Air Jordan 6 "Olympic"
READ MORE: African Jordan 1 Mid
READ MORE: Anodized Jordan 1
READ MORE: Metallic Silver Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT
READ MORE: January 28, 2022
READ MORE: Year of the Tiger Dunk High
READ MORE: Acid Wash Jordan 1 Low
READ MORE: Olive Infrared Jordan 1 Low
READ MORE: Iron Ore Jordan 1 Low
READ MORE: Complete with interchangeable swooshes
READ MORE: Particle Grey Jordan 1 Mid

Bad Bunny’s Next adidas Collaboration Revealed
Stamped with “BENITO” on the side.
READ MORE: First Look At The Nike SB Dunk Low Bart Simpson
READ MORE: Social Status x Nike Air Max Penny 1 Revealed
READ MORE: Bad Bunny adidas Powerphase
READ MORE: Eric Emanuel McDonald’s adidas Forum
READ MORE: Travis Scott Shoes

Nike LeBron 9 “Big Bang” Expected To Release In Friday
Bad Bunny adidas Powerphase.
READ MORE: Big Bang LeBron 9 Retro
READ MORE: Siren Red Laser Blue LeBron 19

sacai Reworks The Nike Cortez For Autumn/Winter 2022
Bouncy.
READ MORE: IVY PARK Valentines Day adidas

All-Black Lands On The adidas NMD S1
Stealthy.
READ MORE: Air Jordan 12
READ MORE: IVY PARK Valentine’s Day adidas

First Look At The Nike SB Dunk Low “Bart Simpson”
“Travis Scott Shoes!”
READ MORE: Bart Simpson Nike SB
READ MORE: Gnarhunters Nike SB Dunk Low

Paisley-Donning Nike Dunks Revealed In Three Colors
African Jordan 1 Mid.
READ MORE: Bart Simpson Nike SB
READ MORE: Social Status x Nike Air Max Penny 1 Revealed
READ MORE: Fossil Rose Dunk Low
READ MORE: Air Jordan 17
READ MORE: Social Status x Nike Air Max Penny 1 Revealed
READ MORE: This Week In Air Jordan 1s
READ MORE: Lavender Peach Dunks
READ MORE: Coconut Milk Dunk Low
READ MORE: Coconut Milk Dunk Low
READ MORE: Metallic Silver Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT
READ MORE: Year of the Tiger Dunk High

Social Status x Nike Air Max Penny 1 Revealed
Complete with interchangeable swooshes.
READ MORE: Barley Paisley Dunks

CdGH Brings Its Touch To The New Balance 550
High fashion.
READ MORE: CdGH New Balance 550
READ MORE: Siren Red Laser Blue LeBron 19
READ MORE: Chinese New Year New Balance XC-72

Notre Adds Its Teamwork Driven Concept To The Vans OG Style LX
*January 28, 2022*
READ MORE: Notre Vans