The fashion industry mourns the loss of Virgil Abloh, the influential menswear artistic director of Louis Vuitton and founder/CEO of Off White, who passed away at the age of 41 after a private battle with cancer.
Abloh was renowned for revolutionizing the intersection of streetwear and luxury fashion, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Beyond founding the successful high fashion label Off White, he made history as the first black fashion designer to lead Louis Vuitton’s menswear line.
Blurring the boundaries between contemporary culture and luxury fashion, Abloh’s vision encompassed street culture, graphic design, art history, music, and more.
On November 28, 2021, the LVMH group announced Abloh’s passing via their Instagram account. The statement conveyed, “LVMH, Louis Vuitton, and Off White are devastated to announce the passing of Virgil Abloh on Sunday, November 28th, due to cancer, which he had been battling privately for several years.” Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, expressed shock, describing Abloh as a genius designer and visionary with a beautiful soul.
Abloh had been facing cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, since 2019. In a statement on his personal Instagram account, it was revealed that Abloh chose to undergo his battle privately, managing challenging treatments while continuing to lead significant institutions in fashion, art, and culture. His dedication to his craft and mission to foster equality in art and design remained steadfast.
Survived by his wife Shannon Abloh and children Lowe Abloh and Grey Abloh, Virgil Abloh’s legacy extends beyond his contributions to the fashion world, as he opened doors for others and advocated for greater equality in the realms of art and design.
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