Louis Vuitton’s Artistic Director of Men’s Collections, Kim Jones, has finally released a first look at his upcoming collaboration with Nike. Set to fully release in July 2017, the collection most notably focuses on the reworking of the immensely popular Windrunner, and Nike Air Zoom.

As Nike is now one of the most successful clothing companies in the world, surpassing iconic brands like Louis Vuitton in Forbes List recently, there’s no surprise some of the biggest names in fashion are being recruited for their talents. This is just the fourth in a series of summer releases, preparing consumers and athletes for the upcoming Rio Olympics. Other series boast an incredible line-up with Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci, Undercover’s Jun Takashi, and tennis super-star Roger Federer. 

In approaching the new collection with Nikelab, Kim Jones focuses primarily on modern and comfortable takes on the traditional athletic outfit and travel kit. Better than most, Jones understands the need for every traveler to have a wardrobe that packs easily and looks fashionable.  

In order to achieve the light-weight design Jones had in mind, the new Windrunner is made with a single piece of fabric, and can be folded into a miniature pouch. Using heat tapping, the team has managed to eliminate virtually all seams, which any dedicated athlete will tell you, is the bane of their existence.

In a recent interview, Kurt Parker VP of Nikelab Apparel, revealed to HighSnobiety that “The number one thing we hear from athletes is that any seam or ridge on the garment disrupts their flow. So we try to create a zero-distraction environment, and this might be the ultimate expression. Kim’s insight on eliminating the seams for packability actually led us onto a garment with far less seams than we would have created on our own.”

In respects to sneakers, Jones will also release a hybrid between the original Zoom 95 and the Air Max 1 on July 23. Jones revealed recently that the upcoming sneaker will only be sold at select NikeLab stores, and as a result, expect long lines. This collaboration is an obvious fit as Jones himself is a “sneakerhead” and owns a personal collection rumored to range between 500-600 pairs. With Nike at the forefront of sneaker technology, its hardly a surprise that these teams have successfully managed to bring luxury fashion and professional performance gear into a unique and beautiful harmony.

The consequence of a seemingly match made in athletic-wear-heaven, between Louis Vuitton’s Kim Jones and Nikelab, is the further solidification of sportswear and shoes as a quickly rising staple in the world of luxury fashion. While this concept is still in many ways just entering its infancy, the potential for collaborations between the high-fashion community and the worlds athletic giants are limitless. Adidas, Puma and Reebok are similarly aiding this movement, however there is no argument on who is leading the charge.

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