The release of Virgil Abloh’s first collection for Louis Vuitton has been long-awaited, and we are finally getting some first looks at the French house’s new designs for their Spring/Summer 2019 drop. Abloh has been posting screenshots from other Instagram users who have been able to get their hands on coveted pieces from his inaugural collection for SS19. The collection was unveiled in June 2018 at the magnificent Paris Fashion Week presentation but until now has only been seen on the runway and at select showrooms. The first seasonal range from the newly appointed Artistic Director, Virgil Abloh, is inspired by The Wizard of Oz and the concept of light prisms. Defining components of the collection are the exotic chain detailing on leather goods and bright tonal looks that are new to Louis Vuitton. Select items have already started to arrive at flagship LV stores.

So far, standout pieces from the SS19 collection include the playful Yellow Brick Road sweater, a luxury-functional monogram pouch holster vest, clear chain links incorporated into items like the LV duffles/backpacks, a blue/white ‘Tin Man’ Varsity jacket and reimagined Millionaire sunglasses. By utilizing standard Louis Vuitton shapes, Virgil has managed to combine memorable accessories with his clear theme, first seen in Abloh’s collab with Rimowa, the luxury luggage company. Among other exciting items in the SS19 collection there is an attaché case, a tie-dye effect coat and trunk, all of which prominently feature the LV logo throughout. The SS19 drop is set for a limited release this October and a full release in January.

To celebrate the release of Virgil Abloh’s SS19 debut collection, Louis Vuitton recently opened a pop-up store in Mayfair, London. Keeping in character with the inspiration of the new collection, the 2000 square foot retail space has incorporated The Wizard of Oz and the colour range, found in the concept of light prisms, into its experience. Upon entering the townhouse, customers are directed up a Yellow Brick Road staircase that leads to a massive luminescent trunk, followed by wild forests and poppy fields taken from the original film. Offering an exclusive opportunity to purchase pieces from the collection, the pop-up is open by appointment only, until October 25th. (bookings can be made via ticketing.louisvuitton.com)

BALENCIAGA IS BEING SUED FOR COPYING THE TREE CAR FRESHENER DESIGN:

After falling into hot water with a NYC souvenir company over some tote bag designs, Balenciaga has found itself wrapped up in yet another lawsuit. The luxury fashion brand is now being sued by The Car-Freshner Corporation for copying its iconic tree-shaped car accessories you can hang from your rear-view mirror. The lawsuit claims that Balenciaga’s “air freshener inspired” Pine Tree Keychains are infringing on a trademark the company secured back in 1952. There is no doubt Balenciaga has ripped off the company’s signature tree design, their keychains are almost identical to the Little Trees air fresheners, even down to the colours that have been used in the designs. The funny part of this story though is the legal argument being made by the Car Freshner Corporation, claiming that unsuspecting customers might get the two brands mixed up, despite the price difference. You’d have to be pretty unaware to mistake the two products - a tree shaped air freshener retailing in the US for only $3, and a $275 keyring… Regardless of the funny legal documents, Balenciaga never asked permission to begin selling the replicas at its NYC store last month. The unfortunate part of this story is that if the label had asked permission to go ahead with the copycat design, the Car Freshner Corporation would have probably allowed it to happen, as they have done with numerous other brands including Kia Motors and Capital One. The Car Freshner Corporation is looking to receive all profits from keychain sales so far.

OFF-WHITE™ x NIKE AIR MAX 90 "DESERT ORE:”

A few weeks ago we saw black iterations of the Off-White™ x Nike Air Force 1 and Air Max 97. Then came the re-introduction of Nike’s Air Max 90 as another new collab among the “Black/Black/Cone-White” series. The shoe’s original colourway was introduced back in September of 2017, as a part of “THE TEN” collection between Nike and Off-White, and would begin a trend of various deconstructed models taken from Nike’s running and lifestyle footwear. The new technical design can be represented yet again through contrasting stitching, industrial-styled branding on each medial side, and a shifted Nike Sportswear logo on each tongue. The shoe, comprised of only a few colours, revealed a brush of orange and a subtle blue air bag.

Now, with no signs of slowing down, Nike and Virgil Abloh’s Off-White have created yet another new angle on the classic Air Max design, being dubbed as the “Desert Ore.” This time, the Air Max 90 design reveals an olive coloured mesh, leather and TPE yarn upper along with stitched on Crimson Swooshes and rearranged logos/branding tags. Also featured on the design are Helvetica industrial prints, tacked on swoosh tabs, and a removable zip tie tag, all of which have become iconic in Abloh’s Nike collaborations. The shoe is priced at $160 USD and is planned to be released either later this year or early 2019.

424 RELEASES MORE BLEACH-DYED PIECES FOR FW18:

Following the release of an ARMES collaboration, Guillermo Andrade’s 424 is back to release more bleach-dyed items from its Fall/Winter 2018 collection. Now available, this drop reveals an abundance of colourful denim pieces, including trucker jackets, jeans, and a button-down hoodie and embroidered hats. Alongside their bleach-dyed gear (a theme now synonymous with the brand) 424’s most recent collection also provides graphic print pieces, colour-block designs and a leather jacket and trouser set. The fashion-forward boutique launched the FW18 collection last night at 7:00pm PST via their web store. Definitely check these guys out. Additional to their awesome designs, the brand also offers hip-hop-influenced clothing and in-house jewelry design that has cemented them among others along Fairfax’s streetwear/shopping district in LA.

By Max Daly, Founder

www.instagram.com/maximilliondaly

Your Monday Morning Update: Louis Vuitton's SS19 debut, Off-White x Nike, Balenciaga Keychain Lawsuit, and more.