The Vuitton New Runner Is Sock Soft, Knit Chunky, And Color Rich
Over the past seven years, under the leadership of menswear creative director Kim Jones, luxury house Louis Vuitton has established itself as a great source for the most wanted, often talked about, and sometimes fought over totems of youth culture: streetwear.
Jones' Vuitton was not afraid to place the baseball jersey, Hawaiian shirt, track suit, pajama, bomber jacket, graphic T-shirt, and all other things that may have been anathema to fashion houses of a certain stature front and center. Now, everyone seems to be on the cool train—but never forget that it was Jones and LV that shifted the menswear game, popularizing even more the alliance of street and luxury, the culmination of which was last year's collaboration with Supreme.
Expanding its wardrobe of cool things, the king of luxury streetwear presents a new pair of full-knit running sneakers.
.
The Vuitton New Runner, which arrives in stores this week after 12 months of experimentation, exhibits the same ideals of craftsmanship found in more traditional luxury pieces. Two notable features are applied in this technical sneaker. First, it achieves a suppleness on the feet—a kind of comfort expected from the softest, foot-hugging luxury sock—thanks to a seamless upper that tips the scale at just 60 grams.
Also, the single-piece knit construction combines three kinds of yarn, a technique that results in a nuanced depth. Observe the soft weaves of the VNR. They appear fuller, a little chunky and tactile, putting the shoe on the side of dad sneaker rather than minimalist sneaker.
.
The runners come in denim blue, space gray, white, and black with more colorways in development. Right now, the space gray feels most current and safest (if that makes sense), but if you're getting a pair, why not go all out?
The alienesque pair below, with its shades of blue, from the gradient violet on the hand-painted sole (a car painting technique) to the cornflower and lavender on the upper, are for the bravest. Wear this with a plain, ankle-baring pair of jeans or trousers, and then, in the spirit of streetwear, have fun.
.
Louis Vuitton, Greenbelt 4 and Solaire Resort and Casino
