Key Points
- Pharrell previewed the Louis Vuitton Combi, a low-top sneaker with a silhouette closely resembling the Vans Authentic.
- Vans commented "ohhhh bet" on Pharrell's post, then promoted its own red Authentic.
- The Combi uses crocodile-textured leather and LV monogram instead of canvas.
- It is expected to release in early 2027 following LV's Paris show on June 23.
Pharrell Williams previewed the Louis Vuitton Combi on Instagram and the internet immediately named the reference: the Vans Authentic, the Anaheim brand's first-ever sneaker, released in 1966. The silhouette — wrapped toe panel, vulcanized sole, low-profile skate shape — maps almost directly onto Vans' original blueprint. The difference is the materials: where Vans uses canvas, LV uses red crocodile-textured leather and monogram-print hides.
The Vans response
Vans did not litigate. It leaned in. The brand commented "ohhhh bet" under Pharrell's Instagram post, then posted a promotional image of its own red Authentic — the $60 original, positioned next to whatever Pharrell's version will cost. Louis Vuitton men's sneakers typically start above $1,000; exotic-skin versions could command significantly more. Vans turned a design comparison into a marketing moment — the comment and the red Authentic promo were both trending within hours, and the Combi's name is itself a wink — short for "Kombi," the passenger van.
The LV sneaker roster
The Combi joins a growing footwear lineup under Pharrell's tenure as Louis Vuitton men's creative director, a role he has held since February 2023 following the death of Virgil Abloh: the LV Tilted, the Buttersoft, the Tatic Runner, and the ongoing LV Trainer. The full collection will be shown at Louis Vuitton's men's Spring 2027 show in Paris on June 23, with a retail release expected in early 2027. If the Combi lands at LV's typical price tier, Pharrell will have built a four-figure shoe out of a $60 archetype — and Vans will keep selling the original to everyone who noticed.
Source: WWD, Sneaker News
Comments