Louis Vuitton’s Virgil Abloh Air Force 1 Exhibition in Brooklyn

Exhibition Entrance with LV AF1 Statue

My passion for sneakers started at an early age. Jordan almost unquestionably started the trend but it wasn’t long before other signatures sneakers caught my eye.

Everyone had their favorites. I always loved the Concords when I was younger and still playing basketball. The Air Max Uptempos, Penny’s, Air Max 97’s, Griffey’s (I played baseball) and even the Shaqnosis were shoes that I coveted at a young age.

LV AF1 Statue with Decorated Water Tower in Background

Most I never was able to buy as my parents couldn’t afford my addiction, but I still would whistfully look at my Eastbay magazine wishing I could have all of them in my closet.

As I got older and could finally afford to buy shoes on my own, I ran into new problems. First my tastes had altered slightly. I no longer gravitated towards hightop basketball shoes. Secondly, my foot size became a massive problem.

Virgil’s Treehouse - A Representation of His Childhood Idea’s Encaputred in the LV AF1

Wearing a size 17 or 18 shoe limits the options. Thankfully I loved basketball shoes when I was younger, because it was very difficult to find much else in my size. As I got older, I had to make the best of what was available, which usually wasn’t much.

Monogram Leather White on White Highs

Then the internet came to my rescue. I was finally able to find more shoes and more styles in my size. As you might have guessed, this is where the AF1 starts to come into play.

Leather Monogram White on White Mid’s

Finding so many options finally available, I quickly built a collection of my favorites. Jordan 1’s, Stan Smith’s, Shell Toes and Air Force 1’s started to pile up.

But it was the latter that reall spoke to me. I have always liked white as a color. Especially for shoes. Growing up in St. Louis, Nelly’s song Air Force Ones, said it all: “I'm just a sneaker pro, I love pumas and shell toes
But can't nothin compare to a fresh crispy white pearl”.

Monogram Lows with Pink Sole and Purple/Pink Patterned Toe Box

The white on whites are a staple in any collection. They wear with anything. They’re THE classic. But there are so many types now. I have at least 10-15 different pairs in rotation ranging in color, design, materials and print.

I also have to say that since I met my wife, my taste for Louis Vuitton has also grown. Couple those two together and lets just say, there was no way either of us were not going up to New York to see this collaboration.

Graffiti’d Damier Azur Canvas Lows

Moreover, Virgil’s designs were impecable. His passion for the Air Force 1 is immediately apparent. He flawlessly combines the two brands into a form that you would assume were destined to be together.

This was my third Louis Vuitton exhibition but by far my favorite. It combined two passions and an experience that I will always remember.

Patent Monogram Lows in Gold

When LV officially released the shoes I was shocked to see that they actually made them in extended sizes. Like seemingly everyone else in the world though, I of course did not get the chance to buy a pair.

Below are a few more of my favorite designs from the exhibit.

Monogram Searsucker AF1 Low

Monogram Leather Highs Redesigned with Extra Tongue and Ankle Support