Following the launch of the first limited edition capsule collection, Louis Vuitton and the NBA continues to build upon its multiyear partnership with a Pre-Fall 2021 collection.
This new capsule collection goes back in time to explore the collective memories of the two cultural institutions around the time of 1990’s basketball mania, with Virgil Abloh fusing the trademarks of Louis Vuitton and the NBA in a transversal celebration of pop culture, fashion, and sports.
Select pieces in the collection were also designed alongside Don Crawley, an expert within the space of marrying sport and design. Some of the pieces that were made in collaboration with Crawley are a blouson, shorts, and a Keepall adorned with the iconography of the game, as well as the collection’s emblematic basketball and hoop objets.
The complete wardrobe of a basketball player
While this second collection follows the original premise of the LV x NBA line, it now showcases the complete wardrobe reflected in the idea of the three dress modes of a basketball player: travel, game, and press conference.
The travel pieces comprise of casual wear in the form of relaxed takes on suits, such as a blouson and trouser quilted in the Louis Vuitton floral motif pattern. A hoodie saturated in LV logo with corresponding shorts or a technical parka matched with performance trousers offer a sporty, street look. Then there are informal blousons, shirts, and shorts inspired by basketball adorned in graphic multi-colour letters that spell out Louis Vuitton – with each font referencing the typeface of an NBA team.
A new line of leather bags are offered, sporting a grain developed to evoke the texture of a basketball. They appear as vintage-inspired, natural leather-coloured designs, as well as black editions with patching. Other bags feature new editions of the basketball-net detailing and NBA insignia adorned bags from the first collection, now including ball pouches and basketball carriers.
A Keepall in black embossed Monogram leather with red python inlays pay tribute to the hero jacket, while another Monogram Keepall sports python trimming. Letter-adorned slides and Monogram derbies complete the travel wardrobe, with Monogram ankle boots paying homage to courtside dress codes. To style the press conference look, furry mules tie everything together.
In terms of accessories, the collection pays tribute to the jewellery worn by basketball players in the ‘90s, such as chain necklaces in extra-large dimensions. A ring is given an oversized treatment, adorned with the LV x NBA logo to mimic the championship rings central to the culture of the game.
Lifestyle objects include a blanket and a cushion in wool and cashmere Monogram with a hand-stitched letter embellishment. However, the highlight goes to Louis Vuitton’s first-ever basketballs, made in a 29.5-inch life-size version as well as a 5.11-inch small-scale collector’s item. The latter is sold with a hoop mounted on a blackboard akin to the House’s trunk. The limited edition balls designed by Abloh were naturally produced by Wilson Sporting Goods Co., the official game ball supplier.
If you’re planning to cop these designs, the Pre-Fall 2021 collection drops online this 28 May 2021.
Photos: Louis Vuitton