Fashion world celebrates the life and legacy of Virgil Abloh
Groundbreaking fashion designer Virgil Abloh died yesterday following a private, two-year battle with a rare form of cancer at the age of 41.
Saying goodbye: Celebrities and other industry leaders took to social media to mourn Abloh’s passing and share personal memories of the fashion icon.
- British Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful said of Abloh: “Famously prolific, he always worked for a greater cause than his own illustrious career: to open the door to art and fashion for future generations, so that they — unlike himself — would grow up in a creative world with people to mirror themselves in.”
- Rapper Kanye West honored his late friend and collaborator, whom he first met in 2009 while they were both interns at Fendi, with a tribute during his Sunday Service this past weekend.
- Model Bella Hadid was also one of many who worked with Abloh who took to Instagram to pay tribute, writing: “You broke boundaries and made everything your own. You shared your love infinitely. The way your brain worked was beyond anything, and the way you did every single thing in life for your family, friends, and for the better … We’re gonna miss you a lot V.”
His legacy: The son of Ghanaian immigrants, Abloh rose through the fashion industry ranks to become Louis Vuitton’s first Black leader and became known for even more than his impactful contributions to luxury streetwear.
- As artistic director, Abloh turned heads at Louis Vuitton’s SS21 Men’s show in Shanghai when he featured a fully Asian cast of runway models, subtly challenging the limitations of Western beauty standards.
- The Off-White founder was also among several industry leaders to publicly encourage solidarity among Black and Asian communities when he re-posted to his story Public School Founder Dao-Yi Chow’s Instagram post calling for “cross-cultural allegiance.”
“Through it all, his work ethic, infinite curiosity, and optimism never wavered,” the official statement on his Instagram read. “Virgil was driven by his dedication to his craft and to his mission to open doors for others and create pathways for greater equality in art and design. He often said, ‘Everything I do is for the 17-year-old version of myself,’ believing deeply in the power of art to inspire future generations.”
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