Virgil Abloh: Fashion Moments That Shaped His Legacy

Virgil Abloh († 41)
These fashion moments shape his legacy

Virgil Abloh at the Off-White Womenswear Fall / Winter 2019/2020 fashion show

© Peter White / Getty Images

On Sunday evening, November 28, 2021, spokesmen for Louis Vuitton announced the death of creative director Virgil Abloh. The designer of the men’s department died after two years of cancer. We will show you the most important stages in the steep career of an exceptional talent.

It is the loss of one of the greatest fashion designers of our time. Designer Virgil Abloh dies of cancer at the age of only 41. The fashion world mourns the loss of a visionary who not only inspired with his designs, but also with what he stood for. During his 15-year career, the pioneer made lasting changes to the fashion scene. He leaves a legacy that will never be forgotten.

The launch of Off-White

In 2012 Virgil Abloh founded his first own label “Pyrex Vision”. A short time later, he decided to rebrand and rename it. It is the hour of birth of “Off White”, a label that blurs the lines between luxury and streetwear in an unprecedented way. Within a very short time, the label became one of the most sought-after in the world.

“The Ten”

In 2017 Off-White launched a joint collection with shoe giant Nike. The “The Ten” collection still includes some of the most sought-after sneakers in the world to this day. If you wanted to get hold of a pair, you had to be quick, because the models were sold out within a few seconds. On portals like Ebay and Co. the prices shot up to ten times (!) The original value.

Basketball player JR Smith at the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

Basketball player JR Smith at the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

© Gregory Shamus / Getty Images

Serena Williams’ tennis tutu

These pictures went around the world – and increased Abloh’s fame even more. Serena Williams walked onto the tennis court at the 2018 US Open in a tutu from Virgil Abloh – a direct message to the French tennis association FFT, which had forbidden her to wear a catsuit at the French Open. Both personalities are known for not being told. With the tutu look, they created a moment that you will never forget, even if you don’t like sports.

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Abloh’s debut at Louis Vuitton

The news that Virgil would take over the creative direction of the men’s division at Louis Vuitton hit like a bomb. As the first black creative director of the luxury brand and one of the few people of color at the head of a French fashion house, he makes history. He inspires people all over the world with his unique success story. His emotional debut show in summer 2018 went viral not only because of the designs, but also because of a top-class front row. One of his biggest supporters is rapper Kanye West, 44, who proudly fell into the arms of the designer after his debut.

Models on the catwalk for the Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2019 fashion show in Paris.

Models on the catwalk for the Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2019 fashion show in Paris.

© Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

Ikea x Virgil Abloh

But Virgil is not only setting new standards with clothes and shoes: The cooperation between Off-White and the Swedish furniture store Ikea from 2019 is one of the most successful collaborations in the world. The carpets in the typical off-white style were completely sold out within a few minutes and are still sold for several thousands of euros on portals such as Ebay.

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Thimothèes dishes

Timothée Chalament, 25, is one of the most stylish celebrities in the world. His avant-garde style always creates moments of surprise on the red carpet. While his colleagues appear at the “Golden Globes” after-party in 2019 in suits and ties, Timothée – you read correctly – relies on a harness. A futuristic design penned by Abloh that had a lasting impact on red carpet fashion.

Timothée Chalamet at a Golden Globe Awards After Party in Los Angeles.

Timothée Chalamet at a Golden Globe Awards After Party in Los Angeles.

© Emma McIntyre // Getty Images

Hailey Bieber’s wedding dress

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber are also big fans of Abloh’s extravagant designs. For the wedding of the two, Vigil Abloh made a special wedding dress creation. A special highlight: the veil with the words “Til Death Do Us Part” (in German: “Until death do us part.” “Virgil has completely changed the way I look at street style and fashion … I had the feeling that he always cheers me on, “writes the model in memory of the late designer on her Instagram account.

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Sources used: own research, instagram.com.

This article originally appeared on gala.de.

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