#17talks

Virgil Abloh Has Died at Age 41

Virgil Abloh, menswear artistic director of Louis Vuitton and founder and CEO of Off-White™, has died after a private multi-year battle with cancer.   The renowned fashion designer was known for shifting the landscape of streetwear and luxury fashion, serving as both the founder and CEO of his successful luxury label Off-White™, in addition to being the first Black fashion designer to lead Louis Vuitton’s menswear line. As a designer and creative director, Abloh worked to fuse the industries of contemporary culture and luxury fashion with an approach that centered on art history, youth culture, graphic design, music and more. On Sunday afternoon, statements were released from LVMH and Abloh’s personal Instagram account announcing the designer’s death.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by @virgilabloh Abloh had been quietly battling a rare, aggressive form of cancer called cardiac angiosarcoma for the last two years. “He chose to endure his battle privately since his diagnosis in 2019, undergoing numerous challenging treatments, all while helming several significant institutions that span fashion, art, and culture,” the statement reads. “Through it all, his work ethic, infinite curiosity, and optimism never wavered. Virgil was driven by his dedication to his craft and to his mission to open doors for others and create pathways for greater equality in art and design.” Abloh is remembered through his wife Shannon and his children Lowe and Grey.

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Virgil Abloh Has Died at Age 41

Louis Vuitton Dedicates SS22 Presentation to Virgil Abloh

Louis Vuitton has announced that it’s upcoming Spring/Summer 2022 menswear presentation in Miami will be dedicated to “the life and legacy” of Virgil Abloh, who passed away yesterday aged just 41. Announcing the news with a short video titled “Virgil Was Here,” Louis Vuitton described the late designer and creative director as a “creative genius.”   The video was accompanied by a status from Michael Burke, the Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton. In the statement, Burke said:   “It is with profound sorrow that I learned of the passing of Virgil Abloh. Virgil was not only a friend, great collaborator, creative genius, visionary and disruptor, but also one of the best cultural communicators of our times. He paved the way for future generations. As a devoted supporter of his community through his charities and passions, he was an eternal optimist who believed anything was possible. In this same spirit, we at Louis Vuitton will proudly continue to celebrate his legacy with a final show in Miami, per his wishes. I am honored to have called him my friend. My deepest thoughts are with his wife, children, parents, family and the entire community that was touched by his greatness.” Abloh’s unexpected death has led to tributes from across the world, including from his long-time friend and collaborator Kanye West, who dedicated the most recent Sunday Service to him. The show is due to take place at the Miami Marine Stadium on November 30, and will begin at 5.30PM ET.

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Louis Vuitton Dedicates SS22 Presentation to Virgil Abloh

Nike Is Reportedly Limiting How Many Air Force 1s People Can Buy

Newly surfaced screenshots shared by Militia_Kicks are now showing that Nike is limiting the amount of Air Force 1s a single customer can buy. One order update notes that the customer exceeded “the quantity limit” on Nike’s website, while another customer was directed to visit a local Nike location or an authorized retailer to purchase AF1s. There is currently no clear reason as to why Nike is limiting how many Air Force 1s can be purchased. But some have theorized that the restriction could be related to the shipping crisis Nike is currently going through. Late last week, word broke that Nike had alerted sneaker retailers that it would be canceling Holiday 2021 till Summer 2022 shipments. The severe ongoing supply chain disruption and transportation disturbances are a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Nike notes, “Our goal is to resume supply as soon as possible and we are committed to communicating transparent and timely updates about future seasons. Currently, Nike has increased the maximum quantity of Air Force 1s available for purchase by a single customer from two pairs to five pairs.    

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Nike Is Reportedly Limiting How Many Air Force 1s People Can Buy

Supreme's Friends and Family Rolex Submariner Could Be Yours for $100K USD

It goes without saying that Supreme and collaborations go hand-in-hand, but when it released a friends-and-family-exclusive Rolex Submariner for Spring/Summer 2013, little did we know how much it’d shake the streetwear and horological worlds. Now, Justin Reed has listed one example for sale.   Famous for its “Fuck Em” branding, the 40mm Submariner appears in stainless steel with a black bezel and dial, along with Supreme’s box logo that’s engraved on the rear of the case and Rolex’s moniker that appears on the clasp. Aside from the red block caps profanity, the untrained eye would be hard-pushed to tell the difference between this highly coveted collectible and a standard Submariner, as Rolex’s signature branding and details on the dial remain as they were out of the factory.   There are only a handful of these watches in existence, as they were only available to those close in the Supreme family circle. Now, you can buy this used example from Justin Reed, if you’re willing to cough up $100,000 USD. A non-Supreme Submariner from 2013 would cost you around $15,000 USD at most.

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Supreme's Friends and Family Rolex Submariner Could Be Yours for $100K USD

Future Just Dropped $200,000 USD on Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT #4672

Future has just joined the list of high-profile individuals who own a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT. Last time we reported on Stephen Curry’s big ETH purchaseof his blue-fur #7990 BAYC for 55 ETH (~$180,000 USD at the time), and now Future just dropped 49 ETH ($200,000 USD) on BAYC #4672.   The rapper quickly changed his profile picture to the NFT where it shows the gray-fur ape wearing a yacht captain’s cap and red robe. Check out his tweet below.  

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Future Just Dropped $200,000 USD on Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT #4672

NIKE'S DUNK LOW IS NEXT UP FOR THE UNION TREATMENT

Virgil Abloh's Off-White seems like a strong, albeit obvious contender; Comme Des Garçons has some of the best unorthodox silhouettes, and size? has a few lowkey bangers in the tuck. Los Angeles-based menswear store, Union, might just be my pick. Over the past few years, Union has delivered some of the most sought-after Air Jordan releases, consistently designing hit after hit. Although I wasn't completely sold on the Air Jordan 4s when they first came out, after seeing them outside, on-foot a handful of times, my opinion was swayed. Not only did it knock it out of the park with the 4s, but Union also retooled the Air Jordan 1 with finesse, maintaining everything we love about the silhouette while refining it with subtly updated details like exposed stitching. As we wait for the Air Jordan 2, which is set to release in a couple of colorways, it looks like 2022 will have even more to offer in the form of the Nike Dunk Low. It seems pretty obvious by now that the Dunk fanfare and high-frequency release schedule that we've experienced throughout 2021 will maintain pace throughout 2022. Sure, a good handful of Dunk Highs are expected, but the Lows aren't disappearing just yet. Union's take on the Dunk has been revealed via leaks on Instagram from @ryivibes and @die_sel666, showcasing the sneaker's two-tone blue color blocking. It appears as if the silhouette has a grid-like texture that sits across the full length of the upper, while exposed contrast stitching appears in red across each panel. Whether or not these will be a standalone or part of a larger pack is yet to be seen, but one thing is for sure, Union and Nike's collaborative streak is still going strong.

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NIKE'S DUNK LOW IS NEXT UP FOR THE UNION TREATMENT

Tickets For Kanye West and Drake's Free Larry Hoover Concert Are Now Selling for Upwards of $7000 USD

The upcoming Free Larry Hoover concert is expected to be one of the biggest music events of the year, bringing together Drake and Kanye West after they reconciled from their feud. The concert is set to occur at the Los Angeles Forum on December 9 and will give fans a potential once in a lifetime to see two competing rappers take the same stage to perform their respective albums Certified Lover Boy and DONDA. Ticket sales for the concert initially began on November 22 and cost around $200 to $500 USD. However, due to re-sale prices, the prices of the seats have gone up to around $7500 USD on Ticketmaster. Fans have taken to Twitter to react to the staggering increases in prices with many agreeing that the prices are quite outrageous. A Twitter user claimed that the two rapper’s beef was just for show and that it was all to bring ticket sales in, “These two stay finessing yall. They were never beefing.” Check out some of the responses below.              

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Tickets For Kanye West and Drake's Free Larry Hoover Concert Are Now Selling for Upwards of $7000 USD

Drake Gifts DJ Khaled Iced Out Rolex for His Birthday

DJ Khaled recently celebrated his 46th birthday in style, bringing together some of his closest friends to ring in the occasion with him and his family. Over the weekend, the “We Da Best Music” took to Instagram to post an assortment of videos and photos celebrating his special day and thank those who took the time out to wish him well. He also took the opportunity to flex some of his greatest and most luxurious gifts, including one from the 6God himself. Drake has been known to give his friends extravagant gifts, particularly one-off timepieces. This time, it was no different. Khaled was on FaceTime with the Canadian hip-hop star while unboxing his gift. As Khaled unveils what is inside the box, Khaled can be heard saying, “Oh shit, I’m on some Drake shit.” When he discovers Drak has gifted him a Rolex watch completely iced out in emerald green diamonds, he says, “Yo Drake! This some Drake shit. Drake, you started this crazy shit, you know that, right? All these green diamonds and shit.” It is not uncommon for rappers to gift each other noteable timepieces. Drake recently gifted Future a rare Richard Mille, as well. Take a look below at DJ Khaled receiving his Rolex.    

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Drake Gifts DJ Khaled Iced Out Rolex for His Birthday

'Peaky Blinders' Director Teases Upcoming Final Season Might Be Coming Sooner Than Expected

Peaky Blinders director Anthony Byrne has taken to Instagram to tease fans that the sixth and final season will be arriving “sooner than you think.” In the Instagram post, Byrne has appeared to showcase a short teaser of the main protagonist, played by Cillian Murphy, walking through the ominous, empty streets with a large bag in hand. As he looks off-camera, the clip cuts off to show the series’ title and the text, “Early 2022.” Accompanying the clip is the caption, “We’re coming for you sooner than you think. By order of…,” further evoking one of the show’s signature phrases. The forthcoming sixth season of the series will include a follow-up feature-length film, set to wrap up the storyline. At the London Film Festival panel last month, Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders, who first joined the production team in the show’s fifth season, said that the film will be “the end of the road for [the series] as we know it.” It was also revealed that the film will begin production in 2023 and shot in Birmingham. The final season is set to arrive in early 2022 and follows the events after the death of the show’s Helen McCrory, who played the matriarch Polly Gray. Take a look at the short teaser below.    

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'Peaky Blinders' Director Teases Upcoming Final Season Might Be Coming Sooner Than Expected

Actual 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo From 'Bad Boys' Officially up for Auction

Mecum Auctions is putting up the actual 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo from Bad Boys for sale. The auto is in pristine and rare condition and has been issued a certificate of authenticity by Porsche itself, speaking to how original it is. The car was initially owned by director Michael Bay but was later sold to film producer Pat Sandstone. Down the line, the car made its way to the Drendel collection who has been the car’s current owner since 2014. This 1994 model is just one of 350 examples built specifically for the American market that year. It was also the final year for rear-wheel drive in that generation of the 911 Turbo. The car currently has 34,396 miles, approximately 55,355 kilometers, on the odometer. This generation boasts a 3.6-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine alongside a five-speed manual gearbox. Fitted with additions straight from the factory, the automotive features an air conditioner, radio/cassette player, sunroof and a fat fixed spoiler. This particular car has also won several awards at classic auto events including first place on Amelia Island, at the Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance and the FrenchLick Porsche Parade Restoration. This was also the same 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo that appeared on the red carpet of the Bad Boys for Life premiere back in January 2020. The 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo is scheduled to be auctioned at the 2022 Kissimmee Mecum auction from January 6-16 next year. Check out Mecum for more information.

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Actual 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo From 'Bad Boys' Officially up for Auction

Jacquemus x VanMoof Is the Chicest Electric Bike on the Market

For the longest time I've been planning on buying a bike, but I haven't pulled the trigger because I haven't found the perfect one. But I've just found it, it's Jacquemus x VanMoof. There's certainly been an influx of fashion bikes lately, and the cycling aesthetic has also become more popular. Luxury labels including Louis Vuitton, Kenzo, Dior, MCM, Stella McCartney, and more have all jumped on the trend, teaming up with cycling giants including Brompton, Cannondale, and URWAHN. We've also seen bikes from JJJJound, as well as other streetwear imprints including Supreme. Literally, everyone is cycling. And for good reason. With Uber's and taxis becoming increasingly expensive, and public transport often taking a very long time, our best option is becoming cycling. And with the environment deteriorating, it basically leaves us no choice. The VanMoof bike is already a Highsnobiety favorite, and the electric bike from Amsterdam has another 200,000 fans that include everyone from Frank Ocean, to Tyler, The Creator. Of course, Simon Porte Jacquemus is also a fan. The collaborative vehicle comes in the perfect pink shade, with Jacquemus' logo printed in white on its frame. It is simple and minimal, yet eye-catching and fun, and features a black saddle and wheels for contrast. There's yet no official information available as to when the bike will become available, nor what model or what the price tag will look like. Based on the teaser images, it seems as if it is a VanMoof S3, which retails at £1,998. Stay tuned as more information becomes available, and keep an eye out for me cycling on my pink Jacquemus x VanMoof all over London. I just need to find $2,500 first, but that's a minor task.

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Jacquemus x VanMoof Is the Chicest Electric Bike on the Market

Rich Paul Unveils His Own Signature New Balance 550

Prominent American sports agent Rich Paul linked up with New Balance to unveil his very own take on the 550 silhouette. The Founder of Klutch Sports Group represents a number of NBA stars namely Lebron James, Anthony Davis, Zach LaVine and Chris Paul as well as a number of NFL players. While sneaker collaborations with sports agents aren’t a common occurrence, Paul had quite a history with the sportswear brand as the super-agent landed a million-dollar internship for the 2018 No. 13 prospect Darius Bazley before joining the league the following year as he credits the situation as a product of a “broken system.” This latest joint effort is shaped up with an off-white base composed of both smooth and perforated leather. Navy blue accents are found throughout the shoe from the laterals to the “550” model number, tongue outline and branding details, heel branding and counter and outline emphasizing the cream “N” logo. Under a matching aged midsole, is an outsole puzzled together with a contrast of navy and sky blue hues. Along with the specially designed box are two sets of extra laces. The Rich Paul x New Balance 550 is set to release in the coming weeks at select retailers and via New Balance’s website.

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Rich Paul Unveils His Own Signature New Balance 550