Louis Vuitton Rumored to Collaborate with Supreme

Update, 1/19: That supposed Supreme and Louis Vuitton collaboration is real after all, and it just hit the runway. The French fashion house unveiled the collection at its menswear show in Paris today.

The range includes co-branded leather handbags (such as backpacks and fanny packs), denim and camo jackets and a number of accessories like scarves, hats, sneakers, a trunk and even monogrammed skateboards. The collection incorporates Supreme's signature red-and-white color scheme and New York-inspired feel.

"You can't have the conversation of New York menswear without Supreme right now, because it's such a massive global phenomenon," Kim Jones, the men's artistic director for Vuitton, told WWD.

"When I was at college, I used to work unpacking boxes of Supreme at a company in London that distributed it when it was just starting out, so it's something I've known all my life," Jones added. "I just feel that the strength of its graphic versus the strength of the Louis Vuitton graphic, and that kind of pop-art feeling — it works together perfectly."

Although the two brands hit a rough patch in 2000—when Supreme illegally used the LV logo on a number of products, resulting in a lawsuit—it was actually Louis Vuitton that approached the streetwear brand for the collaboration.

The collection will launch on July 17th.

Original post, 1/4: Hypebeast meets high fashion in this highly-suspected brand collab. According to allegedly leaked photos online, Louis Vuitton could be teaming up with streetwear cult favorite, Supreme.

The rumors stem from a photo taken by Kim Jones, the men's artistic director at Louis Vuitton, who posted an image of a Supreme sticker atop the French brand's staple leather print, hinting that the two could join forces. He promptly deleted the photo from his Instagram, which makes the post even more suspicious.

Kim Jones Instagram/Screenshot by Highsnobiety

Photos of a sweatshirt with embossed Supreme and Vuitton logos also made its way to the internet. The image was reportedly taken by a model at a Vuitton casting, according to a Supreme fan account.

This might not be the first time you've seen Vuitton and Supreme emblems side by side. Back in 2000, Supreme released a range of skateboards and other products featuring the LV print without the French brand's permission (as seen in the topmost photo). A lawsuit ensued and as a result, the streetwear brand had to recall all the unsanctioned items within two weeks.

Seventeen years later, it seems the brands have reconciled, and they couldn't have done so at a better time. As streetwear and skate brands continue to reign in the street style scene (looking at you, Thrasher), we can already tell this collab will be quick to sell out—if it ever releases.

A Supreme tee spotted outside the Louis Vuitton men's Spring 2017 presentation.

Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 percent chance she's listening to Lorde right now. 

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