The Day Louis Vuitton Lost Its "King Of Luxury Streetwear"
American designer Virgil Abloh, the creator of the Louis Vuitton men's collections and founder of the Off-White label, died Sunday of cancer at the age of 41.
The sad announcement was made by LVMH group, the French holding company that owns Louis Vuitton."LVMH, Louis Vuitton, and Off White are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Virgil Abloh, who passed away on Sunday, November 28," LVMH posted on its official Twitter account.
The famous designer has died of cancer, a disease he has been battling for two years.
Virgil Abloh was a star of the millennial generation, "the king of luxury streetwear", as well as an appreciated DJ and entrepreneur. He has been the artistic director of Louis Vuitton's menswear collection since March 2018.
The Louis Vuitton visionary designer has brought innovation, disruption & game-changing creativity to the fashion industry.
The History of Louis Vuitton's "King Of Luxury Streetwear"
Born on September 30, 1980, in Rockford, Illinois, Virgil Abloh was the son of Ghanaian immigrants. He was married and the father of two children, Lowe and Gray.
A hip-hop fan, he started DJing in high school before graduating with a degree in civil engineering from the University of Wisconsin and architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology. In the early 2000s, he became an art consultant for Kanye West, advising him on album covers and concert set designs in particular, according to AFP.
He created Pyrex Vision in 2012, and a year later Off-White was born, a luxury streetwear brand that established itself through the strength of its graphics and later evolved into creations in the "couture" area.
Virgil Abloh has established himself in a few years as one of the coolest designers of his generation. Rewarded several times for his work, he received the prestigious "Urban Luxe" award at the 2017 and 2018 British Fashion Awards.
His arrival at LVMH - the world's number one luxury brand - marked the combination of streetwear and high-end fashion, bringing together sneakers and camouflage pants and tailored suits and evening dresses. His influences included graffiti, hip-hop culture, and skateboarding.
Virgil Abloh's fashion shows included poetry shows and art installations.
The king of high-end streetwear, the Louis Vuitton star designer was the first major designer of color to be recognized on the international fashion scene, committed to affirming African-American culture.
The Message Posted By Virgil Abloh's Family
"We are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved Virgil Abloh, a fiercely devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his loving wife Shannon Abloh, his children Lowe Abloh and Grey Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh, his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh, and numerous dear friends and colleagues.
For over two years, Virgil valiantly battled a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma. 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.
Through it all, his work ethic, infinite curiosity, and optimism never wavered. Virgil was driven by his dedication to his craft and to his mission to open doors for others and create pathways for greater equality in art and design. He often said, 'Everything I do is for the 17-year-old version of myself,' believing deeply in the power of art to inspire future generations.
We thank you all for your love and support, and we ask for privacy as we grieve and celebrate Virgil’s life."
