In true Pharrell fashion, the retro-style kicks feature subtle, playful elements and come with a range of 24 eye-catching colorways.
Louis Vuitton is redefining cool in the world of luxury, but it’s not just stopping with gyoza- and iPod-shaped pouches, a collection that celebrates dog lovers, or even playfully elegant bags reworked with Takashi Murakami. LV’s latest drop is set to be another one of your favorite things, if not your most favorite thing.
Meet the Louis Vuitton Buttersoft Sneaker, a vision of LV men’s creative director Pharrell Williams. It features a seamless blend of the house’s rich heritage, expert craftsmanship, and the musician-slash-designer’s deep-seated passion for streetwear.
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It first drew attention when it made its runway debut at Louis Vuitton’s Fall-Winter 2025 Men’s show, along with the LV Classic Sneaker. While both are designed to be versatile and glammed up with a prominent LV emblem, the Buttersoft is a more stylish and youthful take on running shoes.
In fact, others find it simiilar to one of sneakerdom’s most iconic sneakers—the 1972 Nike Cortez. Both exude retro vibes and can go from casual to a more put-together look. But Pharrell has mastered the art of luxifying things, and proved that once again with Louis Vuitton’s Buttersoft kicks.
Sporty yet built like a dress shoe, the Buttersoft sneakers combine comfort and high-quality craftsmanship with the youthful and bold aesthetic of 1960s sportswear. It starts with the buttery soft leather, where the sneaker gets its name from and forms the core of the shoe. This “buttery” material is combined with a padded interior that gives the sneaker its pillow-like quality for a snug fit.
Crafted by Louis Vuitton’s skilled artisans in Italy, the kicks are boosted with an elevated rubber sole which incorporates the LV Damier “grain de riz” pattern that adds a subtle yet sophisticated touch to the house’s accessories.
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In true Pharrell fashion, the Louis Vuitton Buttersoft Sneaker comes with playful elements that add whimsy and creates exclusivity to the shoe. Pharrell jazzed up the pair with what he calls “Phriendship” graphics which, for one, are found on the tongue etched with his own silhouette. Meanwhile, a lobster adorns the back of the shoe, symbolizing Pharrell’s long-time partnership, or rather, friendship with NIGO, with whom he co-created this season’s collection. These easter eggs add to the reasons the cool kicks are a must-have for sneakerheads and fashion enthusiasts alike.
And that’s not all. The Louis Vuitton Buttersoft sneakers come in an ambitious range of colorways—24 to be exact—that make them a fit for every personality and every occasion. There’s the ultra-luxe monogram variant ($1,400), which is adorned with LV’s signature pattern in pink, violet, teal, yellow, black, and gold.
For those who prefer a minimalist yet equally trendy look, there’s the sweet pastel pairs ($1,500) in baby pink, light blue, and water green. Meanwhile, the duotone variants use orange and burgundy ($1,150), khaki and green ($1,150), as well as khaki and black ($1,500).
The Louis Vuitton Buttersoft sneakers are now available for pre-order on louisvuitton.com and slated to roll out in stores on July 10.
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