Louis Vuitton Launches “White Canvas: LV Trainer in Residence”
For their latest project, Louis Vuitton realizes Virgil Abloh’s collaborative idea.
Last Friday, Louis Vuitton launched its latest project—an exhibition entitled “White Canvas: LV Trainer in Residence.” The exhibition marks the launch of a collection of the same name, which boasts three limited edition pairs of the iconographic LV Trainer, reimagined by artists Lady Pink, Lee Quiñones, and the Estate of late artist Rammellzee, respectively.
The collection comes as the first in a new series of artistic reinterpretations of the shoe, and the exhibition features the artists’ hand-painted iterations of the trainer displayed within the context of their work at large.
Late designer and Louis Vuitton’s former Men’s Artistic Director, Virgil Abloh, is the genius behind the collaborative exhibit and collection. Now, developed by the Maison in partnership with Sky Gellatly, the project uses the all-white leather low-top sneaker—which Abloh originally designed—as a blank canvas to be used as a medium for artistic exchange between Louis Vuitton and contemporary artists.
Ecuadorian artist Lady Pink was a leading participant in the rise of graffiti-based art and remains a cult figure in hip-hop today. Lee Quiñones, born in Puerto Rico, rose to prominence painting entire subway cars and murals; he was a pivotal figure in bringing street art above ground. And Rammellzee (1960-2010) worked across disciplines, from painting to sculpture and performance art. The three artists were selected for their role in New York’s underground art scene during the 1980s.
The LV Trainers are being showcased and sold exclusively at the Louis Vuitton store at Garage Traversi in Milan now through March 16th.