Louis Vuitton X NBA Is Back for a Second Round

Virgil Abloh and Don Crawley pay homage to the 1990s’ basketball culture in the partnership’s second collection.

Louis Vuitton and the NBA are collaborating again, this time with a Pre-Fall 2021 collection that delves into the nostalgia of the 1990s’ basketball craze. For the Louis Vuitton x NBA Capsule Collection II, the house’s Men’s artistic director Virgil Abloh merged signature motifs from both institutions in designs that celebrate their impact on pop culture, fashion, and sports. 

Joining the team is streetwear designer Don Crawley, who collaborated on select pieces, including a Keepall embellished with the game’s motifs and the line’s basketball and hoop objects. 

Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton.

The second season expands the partnership’s original premise with a collection inspired by the three essential settings of the professional basketball player: travel, game, and press conference. The result is a unique line that balances casualness, elegance, and playfulness in true Louis Vuitton style.

Travel is channeled via more relaxed designs such as the quilted floral pattern tracksuit ensemble and a hoodie emblazoned with the Louis Vuitton logo and motif reimagined as the instructions on a coach’s clipboard (also featured on the matching shorts). 

Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton.

Several pieces were inspired by the “game” aspect, with blousons, shirts, shorts, and accessories that go from belts to scarves to face masks decorated with colorful letters that spell “Louis Vuitton” with a special detail: each letter references the font used by an NBA team. Uniform-inspired shorts feature the house’s retro varsity-style logo. 

The more formal press conference section brings ‘90s references in a boxy black suit and overcoat, along with a leather bomber jacket adorned with playful basketball-inspired patches. 

Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton.

Bags bring back the basketball-net details and NBA logo from the first collection, this time also featured on new versions that include eye-catching ball pouches and basketball carriers. New vintage-inspired leather bags were designed with a texture that evokes that of a basketball, coming in natural colors and patched black editions. The collection’s Keepalls come in black embossed LV-pattern leather with red details and a monogram version with sports python embellishments. 

The line’s jewelry pays homage to the pieces worn by many basketball players in the ‘90s, with oversized chain necklaces and an LV x NBA logo featured on a ring inspired by the signature championship rings.

Photo courtesy of Louis Vuitton.

Crowning the partnership, the collection features Louis Vuitton’s first-ever basketballs, available in a 29.5” life-size option debossed with the Louis Vuitton monogram and a 5.11” collector’s miniature sold with a hoop attached to a backboard resembling the label’s trunk. The limited-edition balls were designed by Abloh and produced by official basketball supplier Wilson.

Another playful touch: while the basketballs were produced in a premium composite material that mimics the classic orange tone of the sports piece and the signature leather used in Louis Vuitton’s luggage, the leather used in other pieces of the collection emulates the grainy texture of regular basketballs. 

The Louis Vuitton x NBA Capsule Collection II arrives in stores worldwide on Friday, May 28. Learn more on LouisVuitton.com.

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