The last collaborator in the Trek bike series for Lance Armstrong’s Stages initiative for the Livestrong foundation is none other than art superstar Damien Hirst. The artist customized a Trek Madone bike and added a butterfly all-over design to it.

“To help give Lance an extra boost across the finish line in this year’s Tour de France, Hirst customized a Trek Madone with a gorgeous array of real butterflies from the frame down to the Bontrager rims, which also bear a repeating pattern of the willowy creatures. Eschewing the traditional LIVESTRONG yellow in favor of bright shocking pink logos all around, Hirst brings even more attention to the cause in a colorscheme that can be easily read at nearly any distance (or speed).”

Check out many more images of the Trek Madone Bike by Damien Hirst after the jump.

In recent weeks, news of the Stages project has been plentiful. This weekend will see the latest development, as Cool Cats and Nike open a pop up shop to celebrate both the launch of Busy P’s Livestrong Air Force 1 and the arrival of Le Tour de France in Paris.

In addition to the much anticipated Busy P Air Force 1, Cool Cats are launching their second season at the Yellow Shop. Several new So Me designed t-shirts are presented, limited to 100-200 pieces each. Special products such Livestrong colored posters, serigraphs and stickers will also be on hand — and of course members of the Cool Cats and Ed Banger family will be present, serving up ice cream and cupcakes all weekend.

The Busy P Livestrong Air Force 1 will see two separate releases, on both Saturday, July 25th and Sunday, July 26th at 11am at Cool Cats Yellow Shop. Be there or be there!

Cool Cats Yellow Shop
100 rue Myrha, 75018 Paris
Métro Chateau Rouge

Detailed images of the Cool Cats x Nike Yellow Shop Flyer and Cool Cats Season 2 t-shirts follow after the leap.

LaMJC caught up with artist Kaws at the recent Stages exhibition in Paris, organized by Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong foundation and Nike at Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin. The artist talks about his specific work for the show and more. Enjoy!

To heighten global awareness of the cancer burden, Lance has teamed up with Nike to present “STAGES,” an art show that benefits The Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Engaging the creative community in the fight against cancer, “STAGES” exhibits over twenty original works of art in response to the devastating disease with a distinct focus on the subject of survivorship. The show features some of the world’s most accomplished and promising international artists, including Ed Ruscha, Cai-Guo Qiang, Richard Prince, Catherine Opie, KAWS, Eric White, José Parlá, Christopher Wool, Tom Sachs, Dzine, and Rosson Crow.

The show unites the worlds of art, philanthropy and sport in a unique celebration of human potential inspired by Lance and dedicated to the fight against cancer. “It will project hope, strength and commitment to millions and carry the LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Campaign all over the world. I am humbled by the effort and energy given by so many to bring STAGES to life.“ said Lance Armstrong.

The show opens to the public on Friday, July 17th following a preview today for invited guests at the world renowned Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin in Paris. It will also travel to the United States this fall. All work is available for purchase with proceeds directly benefiting the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Contributing Artists: Cai Guo-Qiang, Rosson Crow, Jules De Balincourt, Dzine, Shepard Fairey, Andreas Gursky, KAWS, Geoff McFetridge,Yoshitomo Nara, Catherine Opie, José Parlá, Raymond Pettibon, Lari Pittman, Richard Prince, Ed Ruscha, Tom Sachs, Kenny Scharf, Eric White, Christopher Wool, Aaron Young

The exhibition opens in Paris on July 17th and runs until August 8th.

A detailed look at the works by the participating artists follows after the jump.

Most of you should know by now that later this week the much anticipated Nike Stages Exhibition will open its doors in Paris at the Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin. The artist line-up is very impressive. Upon arrival guests will be receiving an extremely limited Nike Sportswear Livestrong Zvezdochka, which will no be for sale and was especially made for the event. Unless you are on the invite list, you will have a hard time getting your hands onto these Marc Newson designed sneakers.

More detailed images of the Nike Sportswear Livestrong Zvezdochka sneakers follow after the jump.

After months of hype, the release date approaches for the Livestrong’s greatest hits version of the Futura Dunk High. Originally released as a Nike SB offering entitled FLOM (For Love or Money) this dollar bill printed shoe was limited to 24 pairs and only available to friends and family of the artist. The 2009 rendition is reworked in Livestrong black and yellow and is has somewhat wider distribution. If you’re a Futura fan, this weekend will be your chance to get your hands on a classic Dunk. Available Saturday July 18, 2009 at Concepts 37 Brattle St. and other select Nike Tier Zero accounts.

More images of the Nike FLOM Dunk Hi Livestrong Stages follow after the jump.

Nike Sportswear cooked up this Livestrong black and yellow Firefly Jacket as an exclusive for UNDFTD LA. This super lightweight windbreaker features water repellant micro-ripstop material and laser cut breathability. Available Saturday, July 11th, 2009 at UNDFTD LA.

A full image of the UNDFTD Exclusive Nike Sportswear Firefly Jacket follows after the jump.

The Nike x Livestrong project just keeps getting better and better. As the latest extension to the campaign, Nike has created custom bike seats that match up with each shoe in the Stages collection. As many of you know, Mr Cartoons’ Livestrong AF1 was released, and subsequently sold out, across the country this past weekend. As such, the first saddle to be revealed is laser engraved with Mister Cartoon’s “LA” icon and some of his signature swirls. Although Brooks Saddles were used for the visual presentation, the saddle itself is not part of the Livestrong collection and is not a collaboration with Brooks. Unfortunately these saddles won’t be produced. Stay tuned for a look at more saddles by the likes of Futura and Busy P.

More images of the Nike Sportswear Livestrong Custom Bike Saddle by Mr. Cartoon follow after the jump.

“Vital to the Core” 2009 by ED RUSCHA © Ed Ruscha, courtesy of the artist and Gagosian Gallery

Once again Nike and Lance Armstrong unite to raise awareness for cancer and this time launch a global art exhibition. Over twenty renowned artists have donated their time and creativity to express the LIVESTRONG message and raise funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which is committed to inspiring and empowering people affected by cancer.

STAGES is more than an event. It is a unique celebration of human potential inspired by Lance and dedicated to the fight against cancer. It unites the worlds of art, philanthropy and sport by commissioning some of the most renowned figures in art to produce work inspired by Lance and his fight against cancer. The exhibition opens at the Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin in Paris before traveling to the United States this fall. All work is available for purchase with proceeds directly benefiting the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin, Paris
July 17, 2009 – August 8, 2009

While you will be seeing some very limited releases from the Nike Sportswear Livestrong collection later this summer, including collaborations with Futura, Ed Banger Records, Mr. Cartoon and The Hideout, they have now come out with more general release that is just as appealing. The Nike Trainer Dunk Low comes in a solid white/grey/black colorway with the trademark yellow Livestrong accents. These are now available at Finishline.

More detailed images of the Nike Trainer Dunk Low Livestrong follow after the jump.