Nevertoolavish is back with another new launch, this time bringing an exclusive release of decon-recon sneakers inspired by the late Virgil Abloh. The collection, dubbed "The Inspiration", also serves as a tribute to Abloh's legacy.

"The Inspiration" mixes three well-known colorways from Nike and Off-collaboration: White's Chicago, NRG White, and UNC University Blue. Nevertoolavish's newest collection is not only visually appealing but also meaningful.

 

 

 

 

 

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The design and inspiration
These sneakers are made of calf leather that is hand-sewn directly over the original AJ1 sole, then coupled with handwriting/painting techniques by Nevertoolavish artists. They are also wrapped inside a custom-made packaging box.

Nevertoolavish also detailed Virgil's remark, "Everything I do is for the 17-year-old version of myself". Meanwhile, "The Inspiration" is written in the midsole area, and the year of his birth and his passing, "80" and "21," are placed in the inner upper eyestay.

Adwiya Pascahaja, creative director of the brand, issued the following statement to address the release of the tribute: "Nevertoolavish's latest piece, 'The Inspiration', was inspired by our affection for the late Virgil. He built something that we would have overlooked but that managed to capture the world's attention."

"We hope that The Inspiration will inspire artists, as well as motivate emerging local creatives to make their names known internationally," he added.

The collection was released on January 7 exclusively at Kick Avenue for sneakers enthusiasts to grab. They are limited to 50 pairs and retails at Rp 8,499,000 - the collection was sold out immediately after launching.

 

 

 

 

 

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Abloh's legacy
Virgil Abloh, a role model for young designers, transformed the luxury market with his own brand Off-White and redefined the fashion scene. He stunned the world when he was named the most influential Black CEO in the world's most powerful luxury group by Louis Vuitton in March 2018.

Abloh, the first African-American to be appointed artistic director of a French luxury fashion business, was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2018.

The New York Times called Abloh's design aesthetic "transformative", as it blended streetwear and premium apparel. The Wall Street Journal, meanwhile, said he achieved global prominence unusual for a designer.

While he was most renowned for his innovative fashion concepts, he also had a significant impact in the realm of interiors, putting his distinctive imprint on chairs, lamps, plates, ceramic blocks, a clock whose face read "temporary," and a turf doormat with a surface that read "wet grass."

Abloh was diagnosed with cardiac angiosarcoma, a type of cancer, in 2019, but he kept the news to himself. He died in Chicago on November 28, 2021, at the age of 41.