Designer collaborations are a big thing and are often very expensive. In this article, I will cover 6 of the most expensive designer collaborations with resale prices reaching over $100.000.
Table of Contents
1. Louis Vuitton x Supreme (2017)
Louis Vuitton x Supreme was a big collaboration that mixed streetwear and luxury. Louis Vuitton, a symbol of luxury, and Supreme, a leading streetwear brand, created a collection that included bags, jackets, accessories, and more.
Prices skyrocketed due to the exclusive items and the hype surrounding the collection. Items like the LV x Supreme trunk were priced at $57.000 retail. Some of these pieces used to resell for double their original price, making it one of the most valuable and expensive collaborations of all time.
LV x Supreme Malle Courrier 90 Trunk – $150.000(resale)
This Lv x Supreme trunk was priced at $150.000 in the resale market back in 2017, now 7 years later this extremely talked about piece in fashion, has seen a decline in pricing and is now listed on Justin Reed for $85.000
2. Louis Vuitton x Nike(2022)
Another legacy Virgil Abloh left behind is the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 collection.
They were First previewed in 2021 on the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2022 runway, where these sneakers combined the Louis Vuitton style/patterns with the iconic Nike Air Force 1 silhouette.
Initially, 200 pairs of these limited-edition sneakers were made, and they quickly became one of the most coveted sneakers. A general release came out in June 2022, which included nine styles available to the public.
The Lows retailed for $2,750 and Mids for $3,450. These pairs were so highly sought after that some resold for insane amounts
Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 – $58,000(resale value)
On StockX, the pair above of the Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 sold for $58,000, highlighting how exclusive and coveted they are. These are also listed for $125.000 on a Sotheby auction
3. Nike x Dior (Air Jordan 1, 2020)
In 2020, Dior and Nike released the limited-edition Dior x Air Jordan 1, blending Dior’s luxury logo with Nike’s iconic Jordan silhouette. This collaboration created one of the most expensive and sought-after sneakers ever. The collection included both High and Low versions, each with its own limited run and luxurious design.
Dior Air Jordan Low – $7,593(resale StockX)
4,700 pairs were released, also retailing for $2,000.
The Dior x Air Jordan 1 Low features Dior’s signature monogram on the Nike Swoosh, with premium leather and sleek “Air Dior” details. Its low-top design offers a casual look, but its rarity and style have driven resales averaging $7,593 on StockX.
Dior x Air Jordan 1 High – $7,244 (resale StockX)
8,500 pairs were produced, with an initial retail price of $2,000
The Dior x Air Jordan 1 High blends luxury and streetwear with smooth leather, Dior’s monogram on the Nike Swoosh, and “Air Dior” branding on the wings logo.
Its limited availability and sleek design make it highly sought after, with resale prices averaging $7,244 on StockX
4. Louis Vuitton x Kanye West (2009)
While this collaboration wasn’t costly at retail, its resale price skyrocketed later, which is why it’s on this list.
In 2009, Louis Vuitton collaborated with Kanye West to create a line of luxury sneakers. The retail prices were already high, with some pairs costing up to $1,140. However, the resale market saw these sneakers explode in value, with the Jasper colorway selling for upwards of $30,000 in 2019.
Louis Vuitton x Kanye West Jasper Sneakers – $30,000 (resale value)
The Kanye West x Louis Vuitton Jasper sneakers, released in 2009, have seen a significant rise in value over the years. Originally retailing for around $1,140, they were highly sought after in 2019(not as much now), with some pairs selling for up to $30.000.
In 2019 these shoes were named the most valuable sneakers in the world according to Farfetch. And today you can still find a listing of the shoes for 30.000 on sites like Stadium Goods but the last sale on StockX was only for $7,707
5. Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama (2012)
In 2012, Louis Vuitton partnered with famed Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama for a collection that featured her signature polka dots on Louis Vuitton’s luxury items. One of the standout pieces was the limited-edition Alma PM Bag and the pumpkin bag, which retailed for around $3,400 and $8.800 at launch. Their Exclusivity quickly made their prices rise on the resale market.
Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama Pumpkin Bag –$151,200 (Auction)
The Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama Pumpkin Bag is one of the most iconic pieces from the collaboration between the Japanese artist and the luxury fashion house. With its bold polka-dot design inspired by Kusama’s signature pumpkin motifs, this limited-edition bag is some collector’s dream.
The bag was recently sold at a Christie’s auction for a record-breaking $151,200, the Pumpkin bag is now the most expensive Louis Vuitton handbag to sell at auction.
In the last 9 months, this bag has had an insane jump In price going from $44,100 in Dec 2023 to the record-breaking $151,200 in Sep 2024
Why Are These Collaborations So Expensive?
These collaborations are so expensive because of their:
- Exclusivity: Limited-edition collections increase demand and drive up prices.
- Luxury Materials: High-end materials such as leather, silk, and handmade embellishments are costly to produce.
- Brand Name: Collaborations involving luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Chanel come with a premium due to the prestige of the brand.
- Resale Market: Hype around certain collaborations causes prices to skyrocket in the secondary market.
Conclusion
The true value of these items lies more in their exclusivity than their original retail price. The limited availability makes them highly sought after, driving up their resale value. In fact, none of the items aside from the LV x Supreme trunk had a retail price exceeding $10,000.
Louis Vuitton’s strong presence is clear, appearing in 5 out of the 6 collaborations mentioned. This shows why Lv is the biggest and how the brand continues to shape the luxury fashion world, setting trends and leading with high-profile partnerships.
If there are any collaborations you think I missed. Please let me know.
