Latest news with #Abloh
Express Tribune
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Kanye West calls Virgil Abloh's death a message for those who ‘steal' from him
Kanye West, now known simply as Ye, has sparked intense conversation once again, this time during a Parti livestream with Sneako over the weekend. The rapper and fashion icon used Virgil Abloh's death as a heavy-handed example of what happens to people who, in his view, "steal" from him. At around the 15-minute mark of the stream, Ye shared, 'You know when ns be really mad? It's when you actually give them something 'cause they don't want to actually receive, so they want to take it from them. But if you give it to them, it'll make it really make them feel bad like, 'Damn.' And then the best? The blessings are bestowed as I bestow grace on these ns.' Ye didn't stop there. He continued, 'And I'm like, man, ns who go against me be dead, bro. Ns who steal from me, bro, look at Virgil, he dead, bro. N****s who steal from me and try to take the king position be dead, bro.' Doubling down on his statements, he added, 'When we say 'watch the throne,' it's only one throne. It's only one king, and we know who the king is obviously. Who y'all watching, who y'all care about?' Just a minute deeper into the conversation, Ye connected Abloh's appointment as Louis Vuitton's artistic director in 2018 to personal trauma, along with "dealing with [his] children" and the death of his mother back in 2007. This is far from the first time Ye has spoken harshly about Virgil Abloh since his passing from a private cancer battle in 2021. Earlier this year, Ye posted a fiery rant on X (formerly Twitter), where he said, 'I LOVE TRAV VIRGIL AND DRAKE DRAKE THE REALEST ONE OF THOSE THREE THOUGH HE NOT FAKE COOL HE'S JUST TALENTED AF AND YES ITS FUCK VIRGIL AND ANY OF THESE OTHER N****S THAT WORKED FOR ME THAN USED ME THEN WENT AGAINST ME I LOVE VIRGIL AND HE USED THAT VERY LOVE TO BEAT NIGERIANS ARE SUPER SMART.' Ye also out right tweeted, 'F*** Virgil. His tweet sent a shockwave to fans since the two had a long standing friendship. Earlier this year, West also revealed why he turned on Abloh. While many fans still mourn Abloh's contributions to fashion and culture, Ye's comments are yet another reminder of the complicated legacy between the two former collaborators.
Khaleej Times
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
New Balance x Miu Miu, Dior x Air Jordan: How luxury sneakers became the ultimate status symbol
For decades, luxury fashion was synonymous with fine tailoring, high-end leather goods, and couture craftsmanship. Sneakers, in contrast, belonged to athletes, hip-hop artistes, and streetwear enthusiasts. But today, these two worlds have merged, and luxury sneakers have become the ultimate status symbol. From New Balance x Miu Miu to Louis Vuitton x Off-White, ON Running x Loewe, Dior x Air Jordan, and the ultra-premium New Balance x Loro Piana, high fashion is embracing sneaker culture like never before. These collabs aren't just about footwear; they represent a fundamental shift in how luxury is defined and consumed. What's Driving the Transformation of the Sneaker Universe? The shift in the market isn't just about footwear — it reflects broader cultural and economic forces reshaping luxury. Casual luxury is now the norm, with consumers prioritising comfort and versatility over rigid formality. Gen-Z and millennials are driving this change, blending street culture, music and fashion into their everyday lives. Sneakers have also entered the resale market, with limited-edition pairs fetching prices that rival luxury handbags and watches. A sneaker today isn't just a fashion statement — it's an investment. Take the New Balance x Miu Miu collaboration, for example. Miu Miu's reimagining of the New Balance 530 is a perfect example of stealth wealth meets nostalgia. With distressed finishes, premium suede, and a muted colour palette, double colour laces, this collab speaks to consumers who appreciate luxury without excessive branding. This sneaker fits squarely into the 'old money' aesthetic, where exclusivity comes not from loud logos but from understated craftsmanship. It's luxury designed for those who know — without the need to show. On the other hand, the Louis Vuitton x Off-White Air Force 1, designed by Virgil Abloh, was a cultural phenomenon. Virgil Abloh's vision blurred the lines between high fashion and streetwear, proving that sneakers could be as artistic and valuable as traditional luxury goods. These sneakers, some selling for over $100,000, became collectible assets — part fashion, part financial investment. Abloh's legacy continues to influence how luxury brands embrace sneaker culture, ensuring streetwear's place in high fashion for years to come. Performance has also become a key element of luxury. ON Running's collaboration with Loewe marries Swiss engineering with Spanish design, creating sneakers that are as functional as they are stylish. Roger Federer's involvement with ON Running adds an extra layer of prestige — his influence extends beyond celebrity endorsement, reinforcing the idea that true luxury is not just about appearance but also about performance and innovation. Then there's the Dior x Air Jordan 1 OG, designed by Kim Jones, which redefined sneaker pricing and desirability. Limited to just 8,500 pairs and retailing at $2,000 (resale values soared past $10,000), this sneaker proved that high-end consumers are willing to invest in sneakers the same way they would in handbags or watches. It marked a turning point where sneaker culture officially entered the luxury market. At the other end of the spectrum lies the New Balance x Loro Piana 990v2 — a study in quiet, ultra-premium luxury. Crafted from Loro Piana's world-class cashmere and merino wool, these sneakers appeal to high-net-worth individuals who value exclusivity without excess. This collaboration reflects the future of luxury, where craftsmanship and subtlety outweigh logos and hype. Sneakers Are The New Standard of Luxury The rise of luxury sneakers is more than a fashion trend — it's a cultural shift redefining modern luxury. Today's consumers value cultural capital over brand recognition. A sneaker co-signed by an artist, athlete, or designer carries more prestige than a traditional logo. The growing popularity of genderless fashion is also evident in sneaker collaborations, which are increasingly designed as unisex pieces. Sneakers have even become investment assets, with resale values creating a new market for collectors. Sustainability is the next frontier, with luxury brands exploring eco-friendly materials and small-batch production to align with modern values. Luxury is no longer about exclusivity in the traditional sense; it's about cultural relevance, versatility, and craftsmanship. Whether through Virgil Abloh's disruptive vision, Loro Piana's quiet sophistication, or ON Running's fusion of tech and fashion, sneakers have cemented their place in high fashion. For today's luxury consumer, a $2,000 sneaker isn't just a purchase — it's a statement of exclusivity while being rooted to cultural relevance and that is truly the future of modern luxury.
The Independent
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Off-White unveils uniforms of strength and resistance for Paris Fashion Week
To a futuristic backdrop of interlocking squares — like an intergalactic Super Bowl — designer Ib Kamara delivered a fierce, urban-feeling collection at Paris Fashion Week. Off-White's signature fusion of utility, streetwear, and high concept was on full display, this time exploring uniforms as both a symbol of unity and individuality. The brand's name itself — coined by founder Virgil Abloh — was meant to represent the space between black and white, a metaphor for the blurred lines between luxury and streetwear, exclusivity and accessibility. Structured shoulders, a Kamara staple, gave both men's and women's looks a sense of power. Women's pieces sculpted the body with zip-up tailoring and peplum tracksuits, while menswear went bold with layered hoodies, shredded denim, and anatomic trousers. A muted palette of neutrals was punctuated by pops of aqua, purple, and red, adding depth to the futuristic edge. British fashion designer Kamara, known for his ability to blend heritage and innovation, stayed true to the brand's postmodern streetwear DNA while introducing fresh ideas like the Sand Bag — a playful twist on the everyday. Yet, as always with the Sierra Leone -born designer, the collection was packed with bold ideas, each competing for attention. The mix of sportswear, tailoring, and industrial elements created a thrilling tension, though at times, the sheer range of influences made the message feel expansive rather than sharply defined. Still, his Off-White carries forward the legacy of Abloh, who founded the brand in 2012 and revolutionized fashion by blending luxury and streetwear. Abloh's passing in 2021 left a void, but Kamara's risk-taking spirit keeps the label pushing forward. If this collection proved anything, it's that Off-White's orbit is only expanding.
Associated Press
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Off-White unveils uniforms of strength and resistance for Paris Fashion Week
PARIS (AP) — To a futuristic backdrop of interlocking squares - like an intergalactic Super Bowl - designer Ib Kamara delivered a fierce, urban-feeling collection at Paris Fashion Week. Off-White's signature fusion of utility, streetwear, and high concept was on full display, this time exploring uniforms as both a symbol of unity and individuality. The brand's name itself - coined by founder Virgil Abloh - was meant to represent the space between black and white, a metaphor for the blurred lines between luxury and streetwear, exclusivity and accessibility. Structured shoulders, a Kamara staple, gave both men's and women's looks a sense of power. Women's pieces sculpted the body with zip-up tailoring and peplum tracksuits, while menswear went bold with layered hoodies, shredded denim, and anatomic trousers. A muted palette of neutrals was punctuated by pops of aqua, purple, and red, adding depth to the futuristic edge. British fashion designer Kamara, known for his ability to blend heritage and innovation, stayed true to the brand's postmodern streetwear DNA while introducing fresh ideas like the Sand Bag—a playful twist on the everyday. Yet, as always with the Sierra Leone -born designer, the collection was packed with bold ideas, each competing for attention. The mix of sportswear, tailoring, and industrial elements created a thrilling tension, though at times, the sheer range of influences made the message feel expansive rather than sharply defined. Still, his Off-White carries forward the legacy of Abloh, who founded the brand in 2012 and revolutionized fashion by blending luxury and streetwear. Abloh's passing in 2021 left a void, but Kamara's risk-taking spirit keeps the label pushing forward. If this collection proved anything, it's that Off-White's orbit is only expanding.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Virgil Abloh's Extremely Rare Air Jordan 4 Sample Sold for $60,000
Sneakerheads are buzzing for the reported return of the Off-White x Air Jordan 1 later this year, and an even rarer design from Virgil Abloh has surfaced from one of the scene's most renowned resellers. An Off-White x Air Jordan 4 sample sold for $60,000 through the Instagram account @depeche23mode, which is known for hawking extremely rare pairs of sneakers. The collaboration has never gone into production and first emerged at Abloh's 2019 'Figures of Speech' exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Fat Joe is one of the few people who has a pair, which he showed off to celebrate his album release in December. More from Footwear News A Ton of Highly Anticipated Air Jordans Were Released Early at NBA All-Star Weekend It's Official: Nike SB's 'Varsity Red' Air Jordan 4 Won't Be Released to the Public Borrowing some cues from Abloh's Air Jordan 5, the Off-White x Air Jordan 4 features the signature text hit beneath the medial mesh window and adds rip stop nylon to the toe tip. Translucent plastic is used for the eyelet wings and mustache, and the 'Air' mark (quotes included) appears right above the heel's Air unit. Simon Tan, the man behind the @depeche23mode account, listed the size 9 sneakers for $60,000 on Instagram Thursday, and a day later they were already sold. For those who missed out by either being beaten to the punch or not having $60,000 to burn on sneakers, there's consolation to be found in that the post has brought to the internet the best images of the unreleased sneaker yet. Best of Footwear News NBA All-Star Weekend's Most Iconic Sneakers of All Time Super Bowl Halftime Show Shoes Through the Years: From Michael Jackson's Loafers to Rihanna's MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon Sneakers Roger Vivier's Belle Vivier Pumps Through the Years: From Jackie Kennedy to Melania Trump [PHOTOS]
