Virgil Was Here: Louis Vuitton hosts Abloh’s final collection

December 04, 2021

On Sunday, November 28th, the internet broke with the news that Virgil Abloh, the visionary best known for expanding one's design framework, passed due to a rare form of cancer. His career redefined the term multidisciplinary changing the landscape for music, culture, fashion, and design. His latest venture came to life at Miami's Marine Stadium with the SS22 Louis Vuitton collection, a rendition of the Paris show that happened this past summer.

The fashion giant permanently embedded his vision, influencing Louis Vuitton for years to come through meticulous design, marking a farewell brought on too early. While Abloh's legacy encapsulates endless accomplishments, he undoubtedly had more insight and wisdom to offer the world. While the collection embodied every ounce that Abloh stood for including the concept of coming of age connecting his love of aspiring artists and young talent, the show ended with a powerful quote bringing the audience back into reality, one that many believed was only a twisted dream— "Life is so short that you can't even waste a day subscribing to what someone thinks you can do, versus what you can do."

Text by Michael Hall
Photos courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Following Abloh's unknowingly final presentation, Miami lit up with fireworks and drones displaying the message, "Virgil was here," a celebration of the monumental impact he had on the world. The stadium also housed a towering statue of Virgil Abloh holding an iconic LV-monogram book watching over viewers extending his already known presence. While each look hit the runway and the company came and went, a giant red LV hot air balloon stood by the show's side paired with a paper plane that flew around the harbor.

This curated spectacle brought together powerhouses from Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Rihanna, and a long list of other influential attendees. The show began with a soundtrack exploring the wonderful and expansive taste of Abloh and his relationship with music. While the looks occupied the runway, a sense of equal parts mourning and admiration consumed the stadium. Vibrant color and modern silhouettes strutted, connecting Louis Vuitton's recognizable pieces with Abloh's undeniably fresh outlook.

Kicking off Miami's Art Basel, a week where the city is flooded with buyers, enthusiasts, and artists, Louis Vuitton gracefully concluded their era with the one and only Abloh in celebration of his life, achievements, and philosophy, informing a new generation and changing the fashion landscape forever. You will forever be missed, Virgil, but never forgotten. Thank you for creating space and a pathway for creatives to thrive and be themselves unapologetically.

Check out Louis Vuitton's SS22 collection and the show that said farewell to a Great that reconstructed the artistic canon below.

Fashion

Timberland and Veneda Carter Reimagine Classics with Bold Metallics

November 23, 2024

Veneda Carter teams up with Timberland once again, bringing a fresh edge to archival designs in their latest capsule collection. Highlight pieces include towering lace-up boots in electric blue and silver, alongside a sleek reinvention of Timberland’s iconic 6-Inch boot, both crafted with patent leather and recycled materials.

The collection also introduces rugged, versatile outerwear like oversized parkas, utility vests, and a statement boiler suit, all built for layering and durability. Inspired by industrial design and early 2000s fashion, Carter infuses each piece with a contemporary energy that feels both striking and wearable.

The collection is now available and can be found at flagship Timberland stores, online, and select retailers worldwide..

By Enzo Holdt
Photography courtesy of Timberland

Fashion

ECCO.kollektive collaborates with Louis-Gabriel Nouchi

November 21, 2024

ECCO.kollektive has teamed up with Paris-based designer Louis-Gabriel Nouchi for a bold and innovative Spring/Summer 2025 collection. Known for his thoughtful exploration of masculinity and storytelling in fashion, Nouchi brings his unique perspective to this collaboration, blending his modern aesthetic with ECCO’s skill in craftsmanship and material innovation.

The collection features a range of footwear, clothing, and accessories, each designed with attention to detail. The collection uses a mix of black, deep red, and pearl white. Sensual touches, like Nouchi’s signature slits, combine with structured tailoring and flowing shapes, showing how the designer blends bold and refined styles.

We spoke with Louis-Gabriel Nouchi about the collection and his inspiration. From the textures of the human body to his love for stretch leather, Nouchi shared how the collaboration allowed to experiment with new ideas.

By Enzo Holdt
Photography by courtesy of ECCO.kollektive x LGN

The collection debuted at Paris Fashion Week and draws inspiration from the textures of the human body. “The idea came from the textures of skin,” Nouchi explains. “I wanted to create something sensual and fluid, using leather in a way that felt both strong and soft. Leather has this amazing quality—it can feel like armor, but also like a second skin.”

Nouchi worked closely with ECCO to develop designs that showcase the versatility of their materials. High-shine biker nappa leather with a waxy finish appears in tailored separates like a single-breasted blazer, trousers, and long-line shorts. For a more experimental edge, he created a column dress and a pencil skirt using strips of leather embroidered onto stretchy tulle—a design he says was inspired by his younger self. “When I was young, I was obsessed with stretch leather because of designers like Jean-Claude Jitrois. It’s something I wanted to explore and bring into this collection, almost like fulfilling a dream for my past self.”

Footwear is another major highlight, featuring Derby shoes, Helsinki loafers, and the standout Truck Lace loafer with a bold platform. The shoe’s futuristic design draws from Nouchi’s fascination with brutalism and technology. “It might be a bit controversial,” he says, laughing, “but I really like the Tesla Cybertruck. The sharp, angular lines and futuristic look combined with that raw, brutalist vibe—it’s something that resonates with me. The platform on the Truck Lace loafer feels like a nod to that kind of design.”

Another unique detail is the inclusion of removable coins on some of the shoes, adding a playful yet personal touch. “You can take the coins off—it becomes almost like a lucky charm,” Nouchi says. “It’s one of those small details that make the pieces feel more connected to the wearer.”

Louis-Gabriel Nouchi’s signature slit motif, which adds subtle hints of reveal and concealment, runs throughout the collection. “The slit is about teasing the eye,” he explains. “It’s never about revealing too much—it’s about creating tension, a little mystery.” This motif appears on everything from loafers to hems, blending seamlessly with the collection's sensual yet structured aesthetic.

When asked about the versatility of his designs, Nouchi emphasizes their adaptability to different occasions. “You can wear these pieces in super casual situations on the street, looking super chic at night—super sexy,” he says. “From one garment, you can style it in so many ways during the day. For example, the tank top—you can wear it with pants, or without. It’s super hot, super cool, and it works for so many moments.”

For Nouchi, the collaboration with ECCO was as much about innovation as it was about creative freedom. “There are no limits with ECCO,” he says. “As a designer obsessed with materials, having the freedom to push development this far was an amazing opportunity. Fashion, for me, is like a laboratory. It’s about testing ideas and seeing how far we can take them.”

The ECCO.kollektive x Louis-Gabriel Nouchi collection is available now, combining high-quality craftsmanship with bold, modern design that showcases Nouchi’s vision and ECCO’s craftsmanship.