Pharrell Williams and j-hope collaborate on an updated version of the LV Buttersoft Sneaker
From the skating rinks of the '00s to a K-pop world tour the LV Buttersoft Sneaker gets its most personal makeover yet.
The LV Buttersoft Sneaker is one of Louis Vuitton’s most recognisable footwear styles. Made of pillowy, butter-soft leather puffed up for extra support, it became an iconic silhouette in ’00s skating and streetwear culture. Now, thanks to j-hope, it’s making moves in the music sphere, too.
For his world tour, a version of the Buttersoft Sneaker was designed for the BTS bandmember himself. Famous for his soft-boy image (although he did attempt to break this down in the ‘Killin’ It Girl’ music video), j-hope’s animation of the sneaker comes in a dusty rose calf-suede for an even softer iteration of the shoe.
As a collaboration with Menswear Creative Director Pharell Williams, the shoe also includes a textile label plucked straight from the Speedy P9 bag, Williams’ iteration of the iconic 1930s LV travel bag silhouette. There’s easter eggs for j-hope fans hidden in the shoe, too: squirrel and acorn emblems under the heel’s enchape, and laces embroidered with the phrase “YOUR, MY HOPE”.
j-hope has been an ambassador to the House since 2023, but this collaboration marks his most authentic venture with the brand so far. If there’s any way to quality test a shoe, it’s to wear it on a K-pop tour. Not only is the LV Buttersoft Sneaker j-hope’s dancing shoe of choice, but it’s now been upgraded with references to his fandom, a true labour of love.
Credits:
Images courtesy of Louis Vuitton
Words: Cable Writers
