Celebrated Designer Virgil Abloh Passes Away at 41 Due to Cancer
Virgil Abloh one of the most celebrated designers who made streetwear such as hoodies and sneakers in vogue in the fashion industry has passed away at 41 due to cancer.
Virgil Abloh one of the most celebrated designers who made streetwear such as hoodies and sneakers in vogue in the fashion industry has passed away at 41 due to cancer.
His death was announced on Sunday by LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) and Abloh’s own ‘Off-White’ fashion label, which he founded in 2013.
He was the artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear.
A statement posted on the designer’s Instagram account stated that Virgil was diagnosed two years ago with a rare form of cancer ‘cardiac angiosarcoma’ in which the tumor occurs in the heart.
“He chose to endure his battle privately since his diagnosis in 2019, undergoing numerous challenging treatments, all while helming several significant institutions that span fashion, art, and culture,” the statement read.
Bernard Arnault, chairman and chief executive of LVMH said in a statement: “We are all shocked after this terrible news. Virgil was not only a genius designer, a visionary; he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom.”
After graduating from university, Virgil interned with Fendi in 2009. Rapper Kanye West now known as ‘Ye’ was in the same class. They collaborated their work. Soon Virgil became the creative director of Kanye’s creative agency ‘Donda.’
Aloh founded his first fashion house in 2013 that focused on street wear in Milan, Italy. He described his label ‘Off-white’ as “the gray area between black and white” to all fashion critics. The label did remarkably well and acquired the title of the “hottest label in the world”
Speaking on the inspiration behind creating ‘Off-White’ he said, “In a large part streetwear is seen as cheap. What my goal has been is to add an intellectual layer to it and make it credible.”
He partnered with Swedish company IKEA and designed furniture for apartments and houses. Subjects of globalization, cultural integration and immigration were dear to him and this was often reflected in his work.
On March 25, 2018, he was named the artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear ready wear line making him the first person of African descent to lead the brand’s menwear line. He’s also one of the few black designers that took charge of a leading French fashion house.
Celebrities like Serena Williams, Hailey Bieber, Beyonce and Rihanna have donned his fashion creativity. Quotation marks, capital letters, and barricade tape were his common fashion trademarks.
‘The king of streetwear’ was a visionary and emerged as fashion’s most celebrated designer. He was named one of Time magazine’s most influential people in 2018.
Fashion enthusiasts considered him good at repackaging things than creating something new. He believed in the principle that a new design can be created by changing an original by only three-percent.
Tributes poured in from noted celebrities for the American fashion designer. Kendall Jenner wrote, “If you had the privilege of knowing Virgil, you were one of the lucky ones. He was the kindest, most positive, humble, joyful, and full of light person I have ever known.”
Hailey Bieber wrote, “He was someone who always brought life, charisma, love and fun to any situation, and every room he walked into. A once in a generation creative mind that is so rare and I’ll never forget his impact. We love you Virgil.”
Abloh is survived by his wife Shannon Abloh and his children, Lowe and Grey.