Sharp Style: Kanye West Sneakers for Louis Vuitton

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Kanye West has an uncanny ability to make people follow his bizarre fashion trends. Who else would be able to make a generation of teenagers and pseudo-hipsters wear sunglasses with plastic bars running across the lenses? But this is, maybe, just testament to Kanye’s inventive spirit. Now, he’s out to prove that all those years in the front row at Fashion Week have paid off. By teaming up with (or being harnessed by) Louis Vuitton, Kanye is proving that the only street cred he needs is on the Champs-Elysees.

This collaboration resulted in a new line of sneakers designed by the hip-hop-turned-fashion impresario. Louis Vuitton gave Kanye unprecedented creative control for a celebrity designer, which means that the look is a departure from classic Louis Vuitton collections, but no less stylish. Inspired by his own sense of fashion, the Kanye collection includes three styles, all of which are meant to be comfortable (for standing the length of a sold-out stadium performance, for example) and, most importantly, look good with jeans. That’s why all of them – bright red low tops, black high tops, and even the pink and grey boat shoes – have a Dune-inspired flap at the back to tuck in your pants. Hey, Kanye’s doing it.

While we can’t always get behind Kanye’s adventures in style, this is one that we’ll certainly endorse. Not only does the Louis Vuitton name ensure premium quality, but Kanye’s creativity has given sneakers premium style. Let’s just hope he puts as much effort into his next album as he did to these shoes.

Kanye’s shoes and pricing to arrive June 2009. For more information, visit www.louisvuitton.com.