American fashion designer Virgil Abloh’s death has caused a stir in the industry. Fashion editors, models and photographers paid tribute to this ‘giant between men’.
Abloh, who died yesterday aged 41 after a secret two-year battle with cancer, was artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear operation and founder and creative director of Milan-based label Off-White, whose designs are worn by everyone from Beyoncé to Kendall Jenner.
Virgil is often referred to as a Renaissance man. Although he didn’t have formal fashion training, Virgil was taught sewing by his mother (a Ghanaian seamstress). He also holds a bachelor’s degree and a masters in architecture. He worked as an artist as well as a DJ.
He was a successful musician and friend to Kanye West, but he never accepted his A-list status. Abloh is still relatively unknown to the public.
“I’m not interested in being a celebrity designer,” he said once. I want to maintain my personal life.
His wife Shannon (who works at Yahoo! Media Sales Manager) is his survivor. Their high school sweethearts met in Rockford in Illinois. The pair were married 90 minutes from Chicago. The couple had two children together: Grey and Lowe.
Abloh kept his family in mind, despite the fact that his calendar was jam-packed with creative meetings and fashion shows. In 2017 he spoke of jetting back from a Yeezy fashion show in New York in time for his daughter’s school recital in Chicago, where they lived in the picturesque Lincoln Park neighbourhood.
‘Those things I don’t miss,’ he said. ‘My sacrifice is: I’m down to fly.’
Cinderella story: Virgil Abloh, who died aged 41 after a secret two-year battle with cancer, was artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear operation and founder and creative director of Milan-based label Off-White. Abloh was pictured here as a baby with his family. His mother Eunice taught him how to sew.
Family support: Eunice Abloh and Abloh at Paris Fashion Week 2018, 2018. In Rockford, Illinois, he was brought up and met his future wife Shannon at high school. In 2009 they married and had two children, Grey and Lowe.
Abloh was not in the limelight: Aside from his fame and well-known friends, he never accepted his A-list status. He remained relatively unknown to the public. At Christmas 2016, Abloh was pictured here with Shannon (left), and Lowe (right).
Celebrity friends. Abloh’s big break came when he organized a meeting with Kanye (left together in 2019), after finding a print shop that could produce merchandise for him. Right, with model Gigi Hadid at the 2019 CFDA Fashion Awards in 2019
Recent appearance: Abloh was present at the opening of “Figures of Speech”, his exhibit at Qatar’s National Museum in Doha
Virgil, a son of Eunice, a seamstress, and Nee (the manager of a painting company), was born September 30, 1980.
The couple raised Virgil, his brother Edwina, in Rockford. According to a W Magazine interview Abloh ‘was into skating, Air Jordans and hip hop’ and played varsity football for Boylan Catholic High School’s ‘predominantly black’ Boylan Catholic High School.
Virgil fondly remembered the school. He sent the first jerseys of his Nike x Off-White 2018 collaboration to the soccer team.
He also learnt some skills from his mother as a seamstress and was able to watch her create garments for customers.
In his free moments, he enjoyed fashion magazines and DJing. But his parents asked him to settle on a respected profession so he entered the University of Wisconsin to study civil Engineering.
Abloh was driven to express his creativity and enrolled in an art history class his last year. He found his inspiration in the Renaissance period. He was awarded his degree in 2002.
Abloh received an acceptance letter to the Illinois Institute of Technology’s master’s program in architecture. During his time at IIT, Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, who had helped build runways for Prada, completed a building on campus. Virgil later said that this piqued his interest and helped open my doors to fashion.
Family: Born on September 30, 1980, Virgil was the son of seamstress Eunice and Nee, the manager of a paint company. They raised Virgil, his younger sister Edwina, in Rockford’s middle class. Abloh is pictured with his family
Childhood memories: Abloh played soccer for Boylan Catholic High School as varsity, which was predominantly white, according to a W Magazine interview. Abloh, as a child
Abloh, a prolific artist, also made graphic t-shirts and started his website. He then arranged a meeting with Kanye West, who was born in Chicago, by discovering where Kanye’s merchandise had been screen-printed.
‘Incorporating West’s G.O.O.D. Music logo on a line he designed for him voluntarily, Abloh left a printout of looks at the shop, where they caught the eye of the owner, whom Abloh later persuaded to call West’s then-manager,’ W Magazine noted. Abloh traveled the world with West a month later.
Abloh married Shannon in 2009 and West joined Fendi Rome as an intern.
Later, Michael Burke, CEO of Louis Vuitton, told The New York Times that he was impressed by the company’s “superior” customer service. [Abloh and West]They brought an entirely new energy to the studio, and they were truly disruptive. Virgil had the ability to come up with a phrase and a new language for Fendi, an old-school artist. Since then, I’ve been following his path.
Other people noted that Abloh spoke as easily to architects than with celebrities.
That year Abloh and West attended the Comme des Garçons show at Paris Fashion Week, with the designer listed as the creative director for West’s fashion brand.
Groundbreaking: Abloh during the Off-White Menswear Spring/Summer 2017 Paris Fashion Week show. Off-White was developed from Abloh’s innovative and contemporary visions. It combines luxury streetwear and couture. Off-White is loved by its iconic quotation marks, diagonal black and white stripes and is worn daily around the world by The It Crowd.
Abloh seen behind the scenes at Off-White’s Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Show in 2018, with Vogue editor Anna Wintour
Abloh sits between Edwina Abloh and Shannon Abloh (left), both of whom survived the designer.
Abloh strolls through the crowd at an Off-White Menswear 2019 Spring/Summer show during Paris Fashion Week
He later said that ‘We were able to attend about 60% of the shows.’ ‘We were a generation that was interested in fashion and weren’t supposed to be there. It was an opportunity for us to contribute and create current culture. We felt that we could bring more excitement to this industry than they were.
Now, fast forward a bit more than a decade. The two men are now two of the most prominent names in the industry.
Ye, West, named Abloh the creative director at Donda’s agency in 2010. He also used his design skills to create his album covers for Ye’s Yeezus, and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
Abloh’s association with West landed him in the limelight. Abloh created his first label Pyrex Vision in 2012
The intention of the label was for youth culture to be represented but it was deemed too commercial and the designer had to stop using it.
A year later, Off-White was founded and developed on Abloh’s modern and fresh visions. It combines the concepts of couture and luxury streetwear. Off-White, which is known for its distinctive quotation marks and diagonal white and black stripes, is worn around the globe by the It Crowd.
Abloh (right) and West (left) attended the Menswear Spring/Summer 2019 Show in Paris. They were both friends and collaborators.
Abloh was pictured with models Adut Akech and Gigi Hadid as well as Bella Hadid, Bella Hadid, Karlie Kloss, and Bella Hadid during Off-White Ready to Wear’s 2019 fashion show
Gigi Hadid and Virgil Abloh are pictured at one of Abloh’s Paris shows during summer 2020. Abloh bridged the gap between high-end fashion and pop culture by designing furniture for IKEA and refillable bottles and partnership with Evian on limited-edition Big Mac cartons.
Bridging the divide between pop culture and high-end fashion, Abloh designed furniture for IKEA, made refillable bottles for Evian and partnered with McDonald’s on limited edition Big Mac cartons.
In 2018 Abloh was hired as the artistic director for Louis Vuitton’s menswear operation – the first Black designer to hold the position – and was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People.
Abloh said that “I now have the platform to transform the industry,” in an interview with GQ before his 2018 menswear event.
“We are designers so we can create a new trend or highlight problems. We can also make people pay attention to us.
“I don’t want to be involved in the latter.” My platform, as one of a small number of African-American males, is my opportunity to create a house and to kind of showcase people’s creativity.
Many, including Edward Enninful, British Vogue Editor-in-Chief, were impressed by Abloh’s efforts to expand the representation and opportunities for black designers.
He wrote that Virgil Abloh “changed fashion,” in an Instagram message. Famously prolific, he worked for a bigger cause than his own career. He wanted to open up the doors to fashion and art for future generations. This would allow them to be creative people, not unlike him.
Virgil believed everything was possible for mankind if we can let go of our unconscious biases or norms. He also encouraged us to reclaim our childhood imagination. His achievements won’t just live on.
“They will evolve because we are just seeing the beginnings of his influence on the creative industries, and the surrounding world.
Virgil’s designs with Louis Vuitton had incorporated the collaboration between streetwear and high fashion with graffiti art, hip hop and skateboard culture being his major influences.
Abloh stated to the New Yorker that streetwear is a link to Marcel Duchamp in 2019. This was a nod to Marcel Duchamp’s groundbreaking work. “It’s that idea of the readymade. I’m talking Lower East Side, New York. It’s hip-hop. It’s sampling. It’s sampling.
He was also diagnosed with cardiac angiosarcoma that same year, which is a rare form of heart cancer. However, he kept his battle secret and worked.
His Fashion Week collection was shown, he created a scholarship to help aspiring black designers and was elected to The Council of Fashion Designers of America’s board of directors.
Insta shared a message from his family confirming the death of the fashion designer.
LVMH, which owns 60% of Off-White’s stock, announced in July 2021 that it would take a 60% share, while Abloh will retain 40%.
Yesterday was the end of the designer’s battle against cancer. A statement was posted on Instagram saying that Virgil Abloh had died yesterday after a long battle with cancer. He is survived his wife Shannon Abloh. His children Grey Abloh und Lowe Abloh are also his survivors.
Virgil fought valiantly for two years against a rare form of aggressive cancer called cardiac angiosarcoma. After being diagnosed in 2019, Virgil decided to continue his fight privately, underwent many challenging treatments and helmed several institutions of significant importance that encompass fashion, art, culture, and the arts.
“His work ethic, insatiable curiosity and optimism never faltered, despite everything. Virgil is remembered for his passion for his work and for his mission to make art and design more equal. He said often, “Everything that I do is for my 17-year old self,” and believed in the power art has to inspire future generations.
‘We thank you all for your love and support, and we ask for privacy as we grieve and celebrate Virgil’s life.’
Bernard Arnault (LVMH founder and billionaire) said: ‘We all are shocked after this horrible news. Virgil was a visionary and a brilliant designer. He was also a person with a wonderful soul and great wisdom.
“The LVMH Family joins me during this time of sorrow and we all think of the loved ones who have lost their spouse, father or brother.
Hailey Bieber, Pharrell Williams and others lead the tributes to fashion icons Virgil Abloh, who passed away after a private battle with aggressive form of cancer at the age 41
DailyMail.com – Tracey Wright
Virgil Abloh, 41 years old, died Sunday after a private battle with an aggressive form of cancer.
Abloh’s suicide was posted on Instagram Sunday. A lengthy caption revealed that Abloh had suffered from cardiac angiosarcoma since 2002.
The caption stated that Virgil Abloh was a deeply loved husband, father, son, brother and friend. His loving wife Shannon Abloh, Grey Abloh (lowe) and Grey Abloh (edwina Abloh), his parents Nee Abloh as well as many dear colleagues and friends, is his survivor.
Hailey Bieber shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram to Abloh, after she was honored to have Virgil make her wedding dress three years back when she got married to Justin Bieber.
Hailey Bieber was honored by Virgil to create her beautiful wedding gown when she married Justin Bieber in 2012. She shared a heartfelt tribute to Abloh via Instagram
She wrote that Virgil had “completely changed my outlook on street fashion and fashion.” “I won’t be able fully express how thankful I am to have met him and to have worked with him. From walking down his runways, to seeing him design my wedding dress, and so many other incredible moments, it was clear that he always wanted to help me.
“He brought joy, life, charm, love, and laughter to every place he entered. His creativity was rare. I’ll always remember his influence. We love you Virgil.’
Pharrell took to Twitter with a tribute to the Off-White designer: ‘My heart is broken. Virgil, your generosity, kindness, and creative genius were all exemplary. Both your human work and that of a spiritual being, will be remembered forever. Your wife, your children and family are in my thoughts and prayers.
She said that Virgil changed how I saw street fashion and fashion. His perspective inspired me greatly. I will never express my gratitude for having known and worked with him. From walking down his runways, to seeing him create my wedding dress, and many other wonderful moments between, it was clear that I felt like he was always there to support me.
His charisma and love for life brought him joy to all he met. His creativity was rare. I will always remember his influence. We love you Virgil.’
Tragic: Abloh’s death was announced on Instagram Sunday with a lengthy caption revealing he battled cardiac angiosarcoma for two years
He wrote, “My heart is broken,” Virgil was a creative, compassionate, and kind genius. Your human efforts and spiritual works will last forever. Your wife, your children, and family members are in my thoughts and prayers. It’s all about the Master, so shine!
Gutted: Gigi Hadid wrote that she was absolutely ‘heartbroken’ by the loss of the designer and spoke to his character as a friend
Tribute: ‘I am heartbroken by the loss of my dear friend, and a friend to the world, Virgil Abloh – He was 1 of 1,’ Hadid wrote
Gigi Hadid said that she is terribly ‘heartbroken” by the loss. She described the designer as a friend while comparing him to Mickey Mouse. He will always be ‘forever adored,’ and’magical.
Virgil Abloh, my friend and dearest friend, has passed away. He was one of 1. His kindness and energetic generosity left a lasting impression on every life he touched— he made everyone feel seen and special.
‘He will be deeply missed, cherished, and celebrated by me and all the people and industries that have been lucky enough to work around & know the true supernova behind this man.
‘I picture him now like our Mickey Mouse .. forever with us, forever adored, forever magical, forever guiding us with that special Virgil FUN; I’m sure that’s how he wanted to be remembered, but still it will never be the same without him in the room.
He will be missed by many.
Embrace
The Creatives: One snap captured the two of them doodled at a fitting
Eternal love: Drake wrote ‘My plan is to touch the sky 1000 more times for you…love you eternally brother thank you for everything’
V., I am honored and blessed by each moment. You are loved, friend. Your love is so much. Your contribution made a difference. As we always said.. ‘See you somewhere, soon™️’ Hadid wrote.
Drake wrote ‘My plan is to touch the sky 1000 more times for you…love you eternally brother thank you for everything,’ accompanied by photos of the duo.
Proving his talents as a designer spanned beyond clothing, Abloh had also designed the rapper’s private jet — dubbed ‘Air Drake’ — which features the OVO owl and the words ‘VA Abloh engineering.’
Love in the middle of a concert: A second image shared by the rapper shows the couple sharing a handshake during he concerts
Filmed: The duo are having fun at the club.
Proving his talents as a designer spanned beyond clothing, Abloh had also designed the rapper’s private jet — dubbed ‘Air Drake’ — which features the OVO owl and Abloh engineering
Abloh trained as an architect and made history as Louis Vuitton’s first black artistic director.
He was the founder of Off-White, which he founded in 2012.
After he got a job at Fendi as a intern in 2009 with Kanye West (rap star), he became interested in fashion.
Marc Jacobs tweeted, “I am so sorry I read that,” “My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and family. Virgil. May you find peace and strength.
Moments on the runway: A second snap captured the designer taking to the runway after one of his fashion shows.
The caption read, “We are deeply saddened to report the death of our beloved Virgil Abloh,” His loving wife Shannon Abloh, Grey Abloh (Lowe Abloh) and Grey Abloh (Edwina Abloh), his parents Nee Abloh & Eunice Abloh as well as many dear friends and colleagues are his survivors.
Marc Jacobs tweeted, “I am so sorry I read that,” His family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers. Virgil, May You Rest in Peace and Power.
Honest: Jodie Turner-Smith wrote: ‘truly, f*** CANCER’
Odell Beckham Jr. said: “I wish we lived somewhere where we could celebrate those who are here instead of focusing on their departures. My brother Virgil: Rest in peace! You are loved.
Shocked. Kehlani used Twitter to post’rest and absolute peace’, as she described the death’s’shocking.
Soulja Boy calls him a legend and an icon in life lessons
Virgil, a brilliant designer and visionary who was also a great man, was shocking news for us all, Louis Vuitton Executive Director Bernault Arnault stated in a statement.
“The LVMH families join me in this difficult time and are thinking about their loved ones following the loss of their spouse, their brother, or their friend.
Jodie Turner-Smith wrote: ‘truly, f*** CANCER.’
Odell Beckham Jr. said: “I wish we lived somewhere where we could celebrate those who are here instead of focusing on their departures. My brother Virgil, Rest in Peace! You are loved.
Kris Jenner wrote on Twitter that she was’so saddened, devastated’ by the news of the death of her dear friend Virgil Abloh. Kris joined other celebrities in sending ‘love and prayer’ to Abloh’s beautiful family.
Saddened. Kris Jenner shared her sadness on Twitter, writing that she was “deeply saddened” and “devastated” by the passing of his father.
Symbolic: Khloe Kardashian went on Twitter to share a series of broken heart and dove emojis
Groundbreaking: Usher called Usher the designer “the culture” and warned that you never know where they might go.
A photo of brotherly love by The Yeah! The singer posted a photo of them posing with Abloh on their shoulder.
Khloe Kardashian shared her sadness via emoji and posted a string on Twitter of broken hearts and doves.
Usher shared two images of them embracing and wrote: ‘Thank you brother for everything you’ve offered this world. It was all possible because of you. You have changed the culture. This is precisely what I meant when I said we need to thank those who are here while we have them, it’s important … you never know when they’re going to go.’
Kaia Gerber poetically wrote: ‘in a world where smiles are too rare, and kindness is even rarer, there was you. Your laughter, light and positivity. I looked up to you every time it felt like the world was spinning around and you made it stop.
“You were able to see people and give them courage through your art. Thank you so much for all that you have done. We were able to learn from you. Your actions changed the course of history. virgil forever ♥️ we love you. I send my condolences, deepest sympathy, to Shannon, her children and all of the family.
Beacon of positivity: Kaia Gerber poetically wrote: ‘in a world where smiles are too rare, and kindness is even rarer, there was you’
His model daughter Cindy Crawford continued writing, “i would turn to you when it seemed like everything was spinning”
Legendary: Amelia Gray Hamlin posted a photo of the designer, and said “legends never cease…thank you so much for your amazing mind.”
Man of many talents: January Jones tried to add a bit of levity to the sadness as she wrote ‘Heaven just got way cooler,’ and called him the ‘best restaurant recommender in any city’
Amelia Gray Hamlin said that ‘legends don’t die’, and she thanked him for having an ‘incredible’ mind.
January Jones tried to lighten the sorrow by saying “Heaven just got way cooler” and calling him the “best restaurant recommendations in any city”. She added that he was an artist who ‘art-directed his own life.
After the tragic news about Abloh’s passing, many celebrities such as Chantel Jeffries and Eiza Gonzalez reposted Abloh’s colorful photo to their official Instagram pages.