Celebrities Pour In with Messages for Iconic Designer Virgil Abloh

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Photo: Virgil Abloh on Instagram

Virgil Abloh, the men’s artistic director of Louis Vuitton and founder of beloved luxury streetwear brand Off-White, has died at the age of 41. The designer’s death was confirmed on November 28 by a post on his verified Instagram account. According to the message, Abloh died of cardiac angiosarcoma, a “rare, aggressive form of cancer.” Abloh fought hard to battle cancer since 2019 and had decided to do so privately. Abloh was considered highly admired in the fashion industry and he was adored by his family, friends, and fans. 

The Legacy of Virgil Abloh

Before anything else, it’s important to recognize that Abloh made history as Louis Vuitton’s first Black artistic director and founded the cult streetwear label Off-White. At Louis Vuitton, he brought in a younger demographic, with menswear collections that blurred the lines between high fashion and streetwear. Most famously, he styled Timothée Chalamet at the Golden Globes in 2019 with his “embroidered bib.” Over versions of this design went on to be worn by Michael B. Jordan and Chadwick Boseman.

Photo: Virgil Abloh on Instagram | Abloh at the 2021 Met Gala

He was also big in the music and art world as a DJ and a longstanding collaborator of Kanye West. Abloh worked as a creative director for the rapper’s design agency Donda, designed some of Ye’s album covers, collaborated with the likes of Mercedes Benz on an art concept car, and even IKEA on a coveted range aimed at people moving into their first homes.

Photo: Virgil Abloh on Instagram | Abloh at BBC Radio 1 as their presenter, dj, and musical director

Abloh was named among Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2018, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago presented an exhibition of the work of “genre-bending artist and designer” in 2019.

A Designer Loved By Many

Hailey Baldwin Bieber

“Virgil completely changed the way I looked at street style and fashion, the way he looked at things inspired me deeply,” Hailey Bieber wrote, alongside photos of her in her wedding gown, which was designed by Abloh. “I will never be able to fully express how grateful I am to have known him and worked with him, from walking on his runways to having him design my wedding dress and all the other amazing moments in between, I felt he was always rooting for me. 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.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CW1NU9zP3Fk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Kehlani

https://twitter.com/Kehlani/status/1465031245625274372?s=20

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Finneas

Odell Beckham Jr

Idris Elba

Alexis Ohanian

Before his untimely death, he was working on plans for a Louis Vuitton fashion show in Miami, Florida, to coincide with the opening of a new men’s store in the city. A presentation of his Spring-Summer 2022 collection will go ahead at 5.30 pm ET on Tuesday, November 30, according to an update posted from Louis Vuitton’s official Twitter account.

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