On November 28th, the world mourned the loss of acclaimed designer Virgil Abloh, who tragically succumbed to cancer at the age of 41 after a private battle with the disease. As a leading figure in the fashion industry, Abloh held pivotal roles as the menswear creative director at Louis Vuitton and as the founder of the luxury sportswear brand Off-White.
The announcement of Abloh’s passing came as a shock, with LVMH, Louis Vuitton, and Off-White expressing their deep sorrow over the loss. Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH, paid tribute to Abloh’s genius as a designer, his visionary spirit, and his profound wisdom. He emphasized that Abloh was not only a creative talent but also a person with a beautiful soul.
Born in Rockford, Illinois, in 1980, Virgil Abloh’s journey in the world of fashion began with collaborations with Kanye West on the musician’s fashion label. In 2013, he founded Off-White, a high-end streetwear brand that rapidly gained immense popularity.
Abloh was a trailblazing designer who ignited a fashion trend characterized by luxury street chic. His historic appointment as the menswear designer at Louis Vuitton in March 2018 marked a significant milestone as he became the first person of color to helm a major luxury label.
Virgil Abloh is survived by his wife Shannon Abloh and their children Lowe and Grey, as well as his parents Nee and Eunice. The family released a heartfelt statement, revealing that Virgil had been courageously battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma, for over two years. Despite his diagnosis in 2019, he chose to keep his battle private while continuing to lead significant institutions that spanned the realms of fashion, art, and culture.
The family expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of love and support and requested privacy as they grieve and celebrate Virgil Abloh’s remarkable life.
