Off-Whiite founder irgil Abloh passed away from cancer, I wish you a life as shining as a diamond.

On November 28, Virgil Abloh, founder of Off-Whiite and creative director of Louis Vuitton menswear, unfortunately passed away from cancer at the age of 41.

Virgil Abloh

The fall of a talented designer is a pity.

Virgil Abloh was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cardiac angiosarcoma in 2019, according to an announcement on his personal Instagram account.

He has been undergoing treatment in secret. In the last few years of his life, despite suffering from illness, he remained at the forefront of creative work in fashion, culture and art.

Virgil devoted himself entirely to his passion for the fashion and art industries.

Announcement on Virgil Abloh’s personal Instagram account

Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of the group, said: “We are shocked by such bad news. Virgil is not just a genius design A visionary and visionary, he was also a human being with a beautiful soul and powerful wisdom. At this tragic time, LVMH joins Virgil’s beloved family and friends in expressing our most sincere condolences for his passing. ”

A bright but short life

Shine bright like A diamond

In 1980, Virgil Abloh was born in Rockford, Illinois, USA. His parents were immigrants from Ghana, Africa.

Virgil spent his adolescence in Chicago, a place filled with skateboarding, hip-hop, rock and graffiti. Immersed in street culture and hip-hop culture, Virgil received his initial enlightenment about art and fashion.

In college, Virgil studied civil engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology. He has no professional background in fashion studies, and all his basic knowledge of sewing comes from his mother, who is a seamstress.

Virgil’s original dream was not to be a designer, but to be an artist.

In 2009, Kanye West, Virgil Abloh (first from right) and other friends outside the COMME DES GARCONS show

After graduating from college, Virgil began to work for the rapper Kanye West, responsible for Designing peripheral products for his concerts; in 2006, Virgil and Kanye interned at Fendi, during which they became familiar with each other; due to similar interests, in 2010, Kanye appointed Virgil as the creative director of the agency DONDA.

OFF-WHITE c/o VIRGIL ABLOH

In 2013, Virgil founded the streetwear brand Off-White, mixing high fashion with street fashion.

More than a year after founding Off-White, Virgil was nominated for the LVMH Young Fashion Designer Award, which paved the way for him to become Louis Vuitton menswear designer in the future.

Off-White x Nike “THE TEN” series

In 2017, Off-White and Nike jointly launched the 10 most classic sneakers redesigned by Virgil for Nike. Sold out in minutes.

This unprecedented successful co-branding can be said to be a classic model for subsequent co-branding between brands.

Off-White x Jimmy Choo

In March 2018, Virgil was appointed as the creative director of Louis Vuitton menswear, officially pushing him to the top of the industry.

It is worth noting that Virgil is also the first black designer to take charge of Louis Vuitton men's creative creative work.

Louis Vuitton President and CEO Michael Burke once said: "Virgil Abloh's sensitivity to luxury goods and comprehensive experience in life will be very useful in leading Louis Vuitton men's wear into the future." Help. ”

Louis Vuitton 2019 SS Menswear, Virgil’s LV debut

This is indeed the case. After Virgil took charge of the Louis Vuitton men’s wear series, he made drastic changes in the direction of youth. Connecting street culture with luxury fashion has become the primary contributor to Louis Vuitton's rejuvenation.

Louis Vuitton 2022 SS Menswear

Virgil once said: "I am an artist first, then an architect, and finally a fashion designer."

In his In his short but glorious career, he not only launched a number of popular fashion products, but also collaborated with home furnishing brands many times to design a series of youthful furniture that integrates street culture.

MARKERAD collection from IKEA and Virgil Abloh

Virgil Abloh designed for Galerie Kreo

Virgil Abloh x Vitra

From Chicago to Paris, From street culture to top luxury brands, from an unknown black boy to a well-known and respected designer, only Virgil himself knows the bitterness and hardships along the way.

After his first major Louis Vuitton show, he embraced Kanye West. On his friend's shoulder, he finally couldn't help crying.

When he recalled the past and saw the prosperity in front of him, he had mixed feelings for a while and couldn't help but cry for himself who had worked so hard.

Virgil Abloh and Kanye West embraced lovingly after the Louis Vuitton 2019 SS Menswear show

He was just too tired

Rest In Peace

Virgil devotes 100% of his heart and energy to the fashion and art industries that he loves.

He is also in charge of Louis Vuitton men's creative and Off-White brands. He needs to carry out 5 to 6 projects at the same time every season and launch cooperation series non-stop.

He has offices around the world, and all design work is completed through two mobile phones and the instant messaging software WhatsApp. For a long time in the past, he needed to fly eight times a week internationally.

Under the tight work schedule and huge work pressure, Virgil’s health condition turned red as early as 2019.

A year after taking over as the creative director of Louis Vuitton men's wear, he rested at home for three months due to health problems; in the same year, he rarely missed the Off-White ready-to-wear show, the Vogue "Forces of Fashion" conference and A November exhibition at Atlanta's High Museum of Art and public appearances with Nike and IKEA.

Although Virgil followed the doctor's advice to avoid long distance travel and pay attention to rest. However, in the high-speed fashion industry, a real pause is almost impossible.

After that, Virgil actively cooperated with the treatment, while still being responsible for Louis Vuitton and Off-White's ready-to-wear every season; at the same time, he also had to face the pressure of public opinion from the outside world.

After a long period of time, his brilliant life finally came to a halt on November 28, 2021.

The fashion industry is like this. New clothes are constantly launched season after season. Behind this is the hard work of many industry personnel day and night. In the end, these clothes cannot even be sold out and are then destroyed and remanufactured.

People who love the fashion industry are willing to devote themselves to it, willing to overdraw themselves for their love and dreams, but their love is unlimited and their lives are limited. There are many people like Virgil Abloh. Regarding the urgent and high-pressure working environment and Discussions about designers’ mental exhaustion have been going on in the industry for years, but these questions seem to go unanswered.

Alas, I can only sigh.

I hope everyone will take care of themselves.

Rest In Peace, virgil.

Goodbye, virgil.

This article comes from Yibai Design