Louis Vuitton’s New LV Trainer 2 Redefines Baller Shoes

One of the posthumous legacies being realised by the late Virgil Abloh during his tenure at Louis Vuitton, is the fashion house’s cultural touchpoints beyond the sartorial. The next expression of this phenomenon is the LV Trainer 2, a new model that fuses audacious 1990s basketball styling with equally over-the-top Vuitton opulence.

First sighted during the Fall-Winter 2022 Men’s Spin-Off Show in Bangkok, the LV Trainer 2 can be seen in greater detail above. It’s certainly an Abloh-approved design with its pastiche of golden era basketball shoe details, ranging from its heel-hugging high-top cut, an even bigger tongue, analogue hook-and-loop ankle strap, and aggressive midsole styling. The LV element comes in via plush materials like full grain leather, padded nylon and ultra supple nubuck. Like the OG LV Trainer, the numerical sequel isn’t afraid of colour; beyond the classic white and black is a Purple Rain-ready edition complete with pink soles and splattered midsole detailing.

Also laced up on the Vuitton mannequins’ feet was a LV Trainer with tapestry uppers that could very well drape the curtains at their Paris HQ – in fact, they’re so intricate that they could remain unreleased samples! Similarly, some extremely detailed boots featuring the same fabric, plus other pairs containing sequins and laurel wreath-sculpted soles may not make it beyond sample stage.

The LV Trainer 2 is expected to arrive at Louis Vuitton locations in coming weeks.