BELL OF THE BALL: Continuing to deepen its ties with the world of sports, Louis Vuitton announced Friday that it has signed British soccer player Jude Bellingham as a brand ambassador.
“His integrity, ambition and dedication on and off the pitch embody the spirit of the Louis Vuitton community of individuals who are champions in their fields and beyond,” the brand said in a statement.
Bellingham joined the French luxury brand in winning three titles, including the Champions League, in his first season with Real Madrid, was named La Liga Player of the Season and emerged as a leading candidate for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
With the new season underway, attention is once again turning to the midfielder as he pairs up alongside new signing Kylian Mbappe.
The 21-year-old Bellingham has already enjoyed an impressive CV, starting his career with Birmingham City Football Club and then playing for Borussia Dortmund before joining Real Madrid last year for a fee of €103 million (excluding add-ons).
Despite being regarded as one of the most promising future prospects in international football, Bellingham and his England teammates were narrowly defeated 2-1 by Spain in the UEFA Euro 2024 final.
But Bellingham did have his moments of glory on the pitch, memorably scoring a last-minute equaliser for his national team against Slovakia and responding to his critics by shouting “Who else?”
Jude Bellingham in Louis Vuitton.
Gabriel Moses/Courtesy of Louis Vuitton
To mark his new role with Louis Vuitton, photographer Gabriel Moses immortalised the player in his trademark outstretched arms pose celebrating a goal in one of a series of images styled by Matthew Henson.
The soccer star is no stranger to the brand: Bellingham wore a Louis Vuitton double-breasted blazer with pearl buttons and flared trousers to accept the Copa Trophy, awarded to the world’s best under-21 player, at last year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris.
He was one of the celebrity guests who attended Louis Vuitton menswear creative director Pharrell Williams’ debut show in June 2023.
“We are excited to welcome Jude into our home. His charismatic personality and the inspiring journey he has been on will bring so much to our LVers community,” Williams said.
Bellingham, who was voted the most stylish player at Euro 2024 by GQ readers, appeared in a Skims men’s underwear campaign in June and recently launched his first signature collection with Adidas Originals.
He becomes Louis Vuitton’s newest men’s ambassador from the world of sports, joining the likes of tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, basketball player Victor Wembanyama, swimmer Leon Marchand and rugby player Antoine Dupont, who have all won medals at the Summer Olympics, where parent company LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton was a major sponsor.
Vuitton has also created advertising campaigns featuring iconic duos such as soccer stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Jude Bellingham in Louis Vuitton.
Gabriel Moses/Courtesy of Louis Vuitton
