From Louis Vuitton to New Balance, Forrest Gump to Kill Bill - why we can't get enough of the sneaker 

200 pairs of coveted Louis Vuitton and Nike Air Force 1 sneakers created by late American designer Virgil Abloh fetched a total of $25m at Sothebys. From pandemic leisurewear to celeb endorsements, Rose Mary Roach on why we can’t get enough of the sneaker

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The recent announcement by Sotheby’s that 200 pairs of Louis Vuitton and Nike Air Force 1 sneakers created by late American designer Virgil Abloh fetched a total of $25m literally stopped fashion in its tracks. The most paid for one of the pairs was more than $350,000 during an online auction.The sums dramatically exceed the initial estimates of Sotheby’s, which had started the bidding at $2,000 per pair and had predicted they would sell for between $5,000 and $15,000 each.

In the end, the sneakers, averaged more than $100,000 per shoe. The cheapest sold for $75,000. The brown, white and cream-coloured sneakers featured Nike’s famous swoosh logo with Louis Vuitton’s instantly recognisable monogram and Damier pattern, and were created to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Nike Air Force 1, which was launched in 1982.