| Full Name | Virgil Abloh |
| Born | September 30, 1980, Rockford, Illinois, United States |
| Birth Sign | Libra |
| Died | November 28, 2021 (age 41), Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Net Worth | $20 million |
| Social | Instagram, Twitter |
Early Life and Background
Born to Ghanaian immigrant parents in Rockford, Illinois, Virgil Abloh demonstrated creative talents and interests from a young age. He was fascinated by the process of building and construction, spending hours sketching designs and creating DIY projects. Abloh also developed a passion for music, DJing at parties during his teens.
Despite facing obstacles as a young black creative trying to break into the insular world of luxury fashion, Abloh remained determined to turn his artistic hobbies into a career. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2002 with a civil engineering degree, he completed a Master‘s degree in architecture, laying the groundwork that would inform his future fashion work.
Launching Career Alongside Kanye West
Abloh got his start in the fashion world in 2009 when he interned at Fendi in Rome alongside his friend and longtime creative collaborator, Kanye West. West quickly appointed Abloh as his creative director, and the two spearheaded major projects like the Watch the Throne album and Yeezy fashion line.
As West‘s trusted right-hand man, Abloh helped craft the rapper‘s aesthetic through set designs, merchandise, album covers, and more. Their synergistic creative chemistry produced paradigm-shifting work that delivered commercial success while pushing creative boundaries.
Founding Game-Changing Streetwear Label Off-White
While directing creative endeavors for Kanye West, Abloh nurtured his own fashion vision, launching his first label Pyrex Vision in 2012. However, it was his next venture, Off-White, that skyrocketed Abloh to stardom in the fashion world.
Founded in 2013, Off-White blends luxury with streetwear, infusing high fashion with rebellious urban sensibilities. The brand‘s clothing and accessories are characterized by industrial inspired belts and fasteners along with Abloh‘s signature touches like irony quotes, bold stripes, and neon plastic zip-tie tags.
By deconstructing fashion schemas, Abloh captured the imagination of younger demographics and cemented his status as an industry disruptor. Off-White brought a cutting-edge identity to the runway, helping elevate streetwear into high fashion‘s elite ranks.
Shattering Barriers as Louis Vuitton‘s Artistic Director
On March 25, 2018, LVMH announced the appointment of Virgil Abloh as artistic director of Louis Vuitton‘s menswear collection, marking the first time an African-American held such a high position at a heritage French fashion house.
Abloh made history yet again with his debut Louis Vuitton 2019 menswear show in Paris, featuring a rainbow-dominated set evoking The Wiz and exclusively black models donning the European luxury brand‘s suits and streetwear looks. His following collections continued to infuse urban cool, showcasing upcycled materials like recycled plastic and neon-accented business attire.
As artistic director, Abloh diversified Louis Vuitton, delivering record sales and high-profile collaborations with major brands from Nike to Supreme. His genre-defying work expanded fashion audiences and redefined luxury.
Multifaceted Creative Output Across Art, Music, and More
Beyond fashion, Abloh also flourished as a multimedia artist, DJ, and furniture designer. His conceptual artworks have been displayed in galleries around the world, including his iconic “Post-It” acrylic paintings. As a DJ, he spun at major music festivals and remixes.
Abloh even ventured into product design through collaborations with brands like IKEA and Equinox. He also produced albums, founded a recording label, and art directed for musicians. The versatile creative innovator succeeded in every artistic arena he explored.
Lasting Influence and Boundary-Pushing Legacy
In both life and work, Virgil Abloh exemplified incredible passion and undeterred ambition. His avant-garde designs and artistic polymathy reimagined what the fashion industry could be. As an African-American trailblazer in a historically exclusionary luxury space, Abloh‘s mere presence was radical.
Abloh‘s indelible influence on modern fashion stems from his interdisciplinary approach that erased false boundaries between streetwear and high fashion. Through Off-White and Louis Vuitton, he made urban culture and inclusivity integral to luxury clothing.
The visionary designer also opened the door for greater diversity in fashion, empowering young creatives of color. Virgil Abloh dissolved ossified hierarchies and elitism by proving streetwear belonged on runways alongside couture. His bold work expanded what holds artistic merit.
Although Abloh‘s shocking premature passing in 2021 saddened millions, his boundary-demolishing legacy lives on. Virgil Abloh irrevocably disrupted and redefined fashion by following his unconventional creative vision. His innovations as a designer, DJ, and contemporary artist made an indelible mark on our culture. Abloh‘s generous spirit and iconoclastic artistry will continue inspiring future fashion revolutions.