Louis Vuitton Virgil Abloh Wizard of Oz Varsity Jacket - Most Iconic Collaboration

Louis Vuitton Virgil Abloh Wizard of Oz Varsity Jacket - Most Iconic Collaboration
Table Of Content
Close

Introducing the Iconic Louis Vuitton x Virgil Abloh Wizard of Oz Varsity Jacket

In 2019, Louis Vuitton and Virgil Abloh unveiled one of the most iconic collaborations in fashion history - a capsule collection inspired by the beloved 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. The collection featured ready-to-wear apparel, shoes, accessories, leather goods, and more. But the undisputed star of the collection was the Louis Vuitton x Virgil Abloh Wizard of Oz varsity jacket.

The Story Behind the Jacket

Virgil Abloh, the legendary designer and artistic director of Louis Vuitton's menswear collection, drew inspiration from his childhood obsession with The Wizard of Oz to create the collection. Abloh shared that he watched the classic film over 100 times growing up in Rockford, Illinois. He was particularly captivated by the iconic characters and the vivid Technicolor world of Oz.

For Abloh, The Wizard of Oz represents the story of dreaming big and the magic that can happen when you embark on a journey over the rainbow. He translated this magical, optimistic spirit into the varsity jacket by incorporating key motifs, graphics, and colors directly inspired by the film.

The Varsity Jacket's Standout Details

The Louis Vuitton varsity jacket remains one of Abloh's most celebrated designs due to its impeccable tailoring and carefully conceived details that pay homage to The Wizard of Oz.

The jacket is crafted from polished calf leather and wool in shades of emerald, ruby, sapphire, and gold - directly inspired by the colors of the film. The front of the jacket features an eye-catching logo patch that reads "Louis Vuitton and Virgil Abloh proudly present 'The Wizard of Oz.'"

The back of the jacket includes a bold graphic of Dorothy with her signature braided hairstyle, gingham dress, and ruby red slippers. The graphic reimagines Dorothy as a mod, stylish pop art figure. "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" is printed below the graphic in an arching, brick road pattern.

Other playful details include a childlike drawing of Toto placed above the right chest pocket and the text "There's no place like home" embroidered on the inner collar. The sleeves are trimmed with suede and Dorothy's iconic braids.

The Jacket Makes Its Debut at the 2019 Paris Fashion Week Show

Virgil Abloh originally revealed the Louis Vuitton Wizard of Oz varsity jacket on the runway during the label's Spring-Summer 2020 menswear show at Paris Fashion Week.

The jacket immediately captivated audiences and dominated fashion headlines. The buzz and acclaim from the initial show confirmed that Abloh had another hotly coveted, instantly iconic design on his hands.

The Jacket Quickly Sells Out and Becomes a Collectible Grail Piece

Demand far exceeded supply when the Louis Vuitton x Virgil Abloh Wizard of Oz varsity jacket hit stores in February 2020 with a hefty $4,500 USD price tag. The jacket instantly sold out online and in Louis Vuitton boutiques across the globe.

Soon after, the jacket started appearing on the secondary market with inflated price tags reaching as high as $15,000 to $20,000. The design remains one of the most coveted and hard-to-find pieces from Virgil Abloh's tenure at Louis Vuitton.

For fans and collectors, the varsity jacket is the ultimate grail piece and a testament to Abloh's unmatched ability to blend streetwear, luxury fashion, pop culture, and his own personal memories into something entirely fresh and exciting.

The Jacket Captures Abloh's Pioneering Legacy in Fashion

Along with being one of Abloh's most celebrated designs, the Louis Vuitton Wizard of Oz varsity jacket encapsulates his pioneering legacy in the fashion industry.

As the first African-American artistic director at a French luxury house, Abloh broke down barriers and brought increased diversity and representation to the top levels of fashion. His genre-bending designs blurred the lines between streetwear and high fashion, winning over both fashion insiders and the youth-driven streetwear market.

The jacket demonstrates how Abloh could take a nostalgic cultural reference point like The Wizard of Oz and reinterpret it in a way that spoke uniquely to his aesthetic and life experience. His designs made luxury fashion feel more accessible, relevant, and powerfully personal.

Though Abloh tragically passed away in 2021 after a private battle with cancer, his game-changing impact lives on through designs like the Wizard of Oz varsity jacket. The jacket will forever be linked to his bold, boundary-breaking vision that brought inclusivity and a contemporary context to luxury fashion.

The Louis Vuitton Virgil Abloh Wizard of Oz Varsity Jacket Continues to Captivate Fans

More than three years after its initial debut, the Louis Vuitton x Virgil Abloh Wizard of Oz varsity jacket remains a cultural sensation within both the fashion community and streetwear circles.

Fans and collectors still covet the rare jacket. Many hope Louis Vuitton will re-issue the iconic design so more people can add it to their wardrobe.

Until then, the jacket lives on as one of Virgil Abloh's most celebrated creations. It captures the nostalgic magic of The Wizard of Oz through a streetwear lens, bringing joy and playfulness to luxury fashion.

The jacket also represents Abloh's barrier-breaking legacy as a leader who ushered luxury brands into the future. His confluence of pop culture nostalgia and high fashion lives on through this truly unforgettable design.

FAQs

What was the inspiration behind the jacket?

Designer Virgil Abloh drew inspiration from his childhood obsession with the classic film The Wizard of Oz to create the jacket. The colors, graphics, and motifs pay homage to the iconic characters and Technicolor world of the beloved 1939 film.

What details make the jacket so special?

Details include the eye-catching logo patch, bold graphic print of Dorothy on the back, drawings of Toto, embroidered text, and trims inspired by Dorothy's signature braids. It masterfully brings together references from the film with Abloh's signature aesthetic.

When and where did the jacket first debut?

Virgil Abloh originally revealed the jacket on the Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer 2020 runway at Paris Fashion Week. It immediately captured global attention and acclaim.

Why has the jacket become so coveted?

With extremely limited quantities made, the jacket has sold out worldwide. It's achieved grail piece status for collectors and fans of Virgil Abloh and Louis Vuitton. Pieces resell for upwards of $15,000.

What is the legacy of this collaboration?

The jacket encapsulates Virgil Abloh's pioneering legacy in blending streetwear and luxury fashion. It represents his barrier-breaking impact on diversity and innovation in the fashion industry.

Advertisement 1

Advertisement 2


More from Fashion

Lexxi: An Inside Look at Life as a Transgender Hair Stylist

Lexxi: An Inside Look at Life as a Transgender Hair Stylist

An interview with Lexxi Ts, a transgender hair stylist who navigates daily life and the challenges of being visibly trans through candid social media posts, offering hope and representation for other trans people.

Cozy Toes Boots: An Honest Review of the CozyToesCo Mini Boot Clone

Cozy Toes Boots: An Honest Review of the CozyToesCo Mini Boot Clone

An in-depth review of the Cozy Toes Boots comparing it to the authentic Ugg mini boot. Find out how the materials, fits and overall quality compares in this honest analysis.


My Experience Ordering from Questionable Online Retailer Shop In Well Store

My Experience Ordering from Questionable Online Retailer Shop In Well Store

A review of one shopper's experience ordering multiple items from Shop In Well Store, an online retailer with questionable legitimacy and business practices.


The Intricate Details of Soft Gamine Vs Theatrical Romantic Body Types

The Intricate Details of Soft Gamine Vs Theatrical Romantic Body Types

Dive into the delicate nuances between Soft Gamine and Theatrical Romantic body types, discussing their various attributes and how they reflect in fashion and individual's style choices.


The Rise of Maddiemay1356: How One TikTok Star is Shaping Gen Z Fashion

The Rise of Maddiemay1356: How One TikTok Star is Shaping Gen Z Fashion

A look at how Boston-based TikTok star Maddiemay1356 has risen to fame by creating relatable outfit content and partnering with brands in a way that is shaping trends among Gen Z.