Abloh plans Vuitton Walk in the Park public events in build-up to Paris menswear season

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Jan 6, 2021

Virgil Abloh is planning a novel month-long series of Vuitton Walk in the Park events open to the public in Paris in the build-up to the French menswear season.

 
Designed to be staged in diverse locations, these Walks in the Park will be both digital and real-time experiences taking place across the French capital.
 
All based on concepts and icons developed by Abloh, the menswear creative director of Vuitton. Together the Walks in the Park will be as much a commercial retail project as a slick brand-burnishing exercise.

“Rooted in the inclusive vales at the heart of his work, the happenings are an expression of the mutual connectivity that exists between the designer and his community,” the luxury brand said in a release.
 
Locations include an ephemeral Temporary Residency on the Rue du Pont Neuf, at Vuitton’s global headquarters, where visitors can discover the sneakers and accessories from the past three menswear spring-summer seasons. While a pop-up store around the corner at Quai de la Mégisserie will allow fans to purchase new edition sneakers, jewelry and sunglasses. This store will open from Jan. 8 to 31: a blend of immersive and intimate that will allow consumers to order various products in the colors of the rainbow, in a reference to Abloh’s first Vuitton show. There will also be a modestly named Hall of Fame that will feature a selection of rare and exclusive LV trainers from spring 2019, along with a Vuitton footwear retrospective.

 
For the first week, an avant-premier in five colors of LV Trainers Upcycling, including 95 in exclusive colors, will be available uniquely in the space.
 
While across town in the flagship Louis Vuitton Vendôme, one can enjoy an augmented reality experience allowing fans to Zoom with friends, the animated mascots Virgil developed for spring 2021. 
 

Finally, another element of Abloh’s visual grammar, Cuban chains and 1.1 Millionaires sunglasses will be both exhibited and available for purchase. Again the chains feature a color-coded rainbow motif, seen in necklaces, bracelets and rings.
 
Originally designed by Pharrell Williams and Nigo for Vuitton in 2004, these were later revamped by Abloh. Just twelve unique pieces will go on display, though a small restock from previous collection is also available.
 
The next Vuitton menswear show is due to be staged at 2.30 PM on Thursday, Jan. 21, though the house has not revealed exact details of the precise format of the event.