Louis Vuitton Joins Forces With Real Madrid, Dresses Players in Spiffy Tailoring

Real Madrid can brag about a lot of things. The Spanish club team is one of the top in the league (La Liga), and it claims a roster of beloved players like Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham. Now, it has some fresh fashion to flex, too. Friday morning, Louis Vuitton revealed it's Real Madrid's official partner.

The French luxury brand is behind a full suite of wardrobe options for players on the men's and women's soccer teams. Beyond that, Louis Vuitton is also partnering with Real Madrid's basketball team, which means the Spanish hoopers will get the luxury fashion treatment, too. Men's Creative Director Pharrell Williams is behind the athletes' new formalwear and travel-wear that spans ready-to-wear, shoes, and accessories.

"At Real Madrid, we relentlessly pursue excellence as the path to remain at the top. That same philosophy defines a brand as iconic in the luxury industry as Louis Vuitton," former player and Real Madrid Director of Institutional Relations Emilio Butragueño said in a press release. "We share not only a responsibility of building a legacy, but also the purpose of inspiring the world beyond our respective industries."

The pieces are exclusively for players and representatives to wear for travel and events. These items are not for sale. 

In the campaign announcing the Louis Vuitton and Real Madrid link-up, star players pose in the new gear, including a bespoke luggage line made for the partnership that features some of the brand's most popular pieces like the Horizon 55 suitcase, Keepall, and Christopher backpack. Mbappé and Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal show off sharp tailoring options and a monogram bag, for example. Caroline Weir wears women's suiting in other photos, lensed by duo Gustavo López & Lorena Parra, who go by Gus&Lo.

"We are proud to support a club whose history, marked by countless national and international victories, continues to inspire entire generations," Louis Vuitton CEO Pietro Biccari added. "Louis Vuitton and Real Madrid share foundational values that have propelled them to the highest peaks of their respective disciplines, driven by an uninterrupted quest for excellence, surpassing oneself, and a spirit of innovation."

This marks Louis Vuitton's latest enmeshment in the sporting world. The LVMH-owned brand most recently partnered with Formula 1 and the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and it has also worked with the NBA, the FIFA World Cup, Roland Garros, and more.