An In-Hand Look at the Blue Nike Dunk Low 'Virgil Abloh™ x Futura Laboratories'

This article was originally published on April 6, 2023.

Update January 22, 2024: Stampd founder and designer, Chris Stamp, has given an in-hand look at the unreleased Nike Dunk Low 'Virgil Abloh™ x Futura Laboratories' in the blue colourway. The coveted silhouette arrives in its original structure but with one new detail on the midsole – a personalised touch featuring the word 'STAMP' in the late Virgil Abloh's signature Off-White quotation marks. Take a closer look at the design below.

Update April 17, 2023: The eight-pair auction of the Nike Dunk Low ‘Virgil Abloh™ x Futura Laboratories’ wrapped up at Sotheby’s today, with the highest bid coming in at $107,950 – around 50 times the original price estimates of $2000–$4000. Interestingly, the orange colourway fetched significantly higher bids than its blue counterpart. Bids for the blue colourway peaked at $82,550 (size 11), while the lowest bid for an orange colourway came in at $57,150 (size 6). As previously stated, all proceeds benefit the Virgil Abloh Foundation – a non-profit organisation focused on empowering the next generation through arts education and mentorship programs.

Making its debut during Off-White’s Spring/Summer 2020 in Paris, the Nike Dunk Low ‘Virgil Abloh™ x Futura Laboratories’ collaboration is one sneakerheads have had their eyes on for a long, long time.

Three years after the sneakers famously walked the runway, Sotheby’s are finally giving fans the opportunity to get their hands on the elusive collaboration, with all proceeds benefiting the Virgil Abloh Foundation – a non-profit organisation focused on empowering the next generation through arts education and mentorship programs.

‘The “Virgil Abloh™ x Futura Laboratories” Dunks were so special to Virgil, not only for their role as an anchor piece of the SS20 collection but as a symbol of collaboration and creativity, two principles he always prioritised’, says Shannon Abloh. ‘The Dunks represent Virgil’s unique lens on art and culture and this auction with Sotheby’s further aids in keeping his legacy alive’.

The eight-pair auction marks the first-ever release and the sole opportunity for the public to access the ultra-limited-edition Nike Dunk Lows.

‘It’s amazing to finally see the “Virgil Abloh™ x Futura Laboratories” arriving in this fashion,’ says Futura. ‘I hope to honour my friendship with Virgil and our creative, collaborative work. Thank you, Sotheby’s, for hosting this charitable event. And most importantly, thank you, SHANNON, for moving this project forward. VIRGIL FOREVER!!’

The eight pairs of Dunks will be presented in a dedicated online auction from Wednesday, April 5, through Friday, April 14. Offered with an estimated price of $2000–4000, the shoes will be sold without reserve, meaning that opening bids start at $1.

The shoes will be on display at Sotheby’s New York in a free and public exhibition from April 5 to April 14.