We had arrived! The dream had been realized, and in so, we could do it too! Peers he had designed with, influencers he gave opportunities to, old friends and new friends all there to celebrate this monumental moment! A moment so big that it bought close friend and collaborator Kanye West to tears when they embraced.
But it didn’t end there, the audience invited was also full of his peers and creatives alike. The model lineup was full of global friends, ranging from American artists Kid Cudi and Playboi Carti to UK skateboard legend Lucien Clarke and designer Blondey. Look no further than his debut runway show titled “We Are The World” on June 21, 2018. Never one to rest on his laurels, he immediately went to work ushering in his world of inclusivity and curiosity to the storied French fashion house. In early 2018, it was announced that Virgil was named artistic director of Louis Vuitton, the first Black designer to helm that title in the brand’s 167-year old existence. Following these successful collaborations, his highest calling came next. Warby Parker, Jacob the Jeweler, Jimmy Choo, Nike, Ikea, and The Gagosian Gallery were just a few of the names he partnered with while deejaying and still retaining his role as creative director at Donda.
Ambitious as he was, he began showing Off White men’s and women’s collections during Paris Fashion Week adopting quotation marks as his signature.ĭuring this time, his many creative pursuits never ceased, with him working on collaborations with many diverse brands and institutions alike. Off White was described from inception as a multi-platform creative endeavor based in Milan with fashion as its main medium. Next came Off-White which he started in 2013 after closing down Pyrex Vision. Criticism and sometimes even ridicule would be no stranger to Virgil throughout his career, but the one constant was his will to move on to the next idea graciously. Retailing at around $500, these shirts, while wildly popular, also received their share of criticism. He started his first fashion brand, Pyrex Vision, in 2012 by purchasing deadstock Ralph Lauren flannels shirts, and then screen printing “PYREX” or the number 23 in homage to hometown hero Michael Jordan on the back. His curious nature, however, would naturally lead him into fashion.
These attributes would serve him immensely well in his career. He was never closed off to any idea and was always forward-thinking. I’ve personally spoken with him many times in passing and he always had a curiosity about him. His influence and touch were far and wide, yet if you ask any one of his collaborators and peers, they constantly speak of his character and kindness when describing him. It is his greatest legacy in my opinion.Ī genial, abled, everyday kind of man, he made the impossible seem possible! All the while doing it with a smile on his face and the ideology that you can too! This ethos permeated through every industry he chose to delve into, and he chose many: fashion, art, culture, music, wine & spirits, to name a few. Virgil’s impact on the fashion industry is immeasurable with his many achievements but the main thing I want to touch on was his kindness and pay it forward mentality. Immediately I was reminded of the tragic loss of actor Chadwick Boseman who also battled a severe cancer diagnosis and remissions, silently, humbly, and graciously - all while being at the top of their respective work industries. 28), shockwaves were sent throughout the world when LVMH, Off White, and his personal Instagram accounts jointly spread the devastating news that creative visionary Virgil Abloh passed away due to a rare form of heart cancer that he had been battling silently since 2019. We lost another one of our Black Superheroes this past weekend.