Virgil Abloh: career, collab ', Off-White and Louis Vuitton

It took a little more than a decade to Virgil Abloh to become a revered, respected and essential creator of the small fashion environment.From Pyrex Vision to Louis Vuitton, what is the career of this talented designer?What did he die on November 28, 2021?What does he leave behind?

What tribute to the Louis Vuitton brand organized in honor of Virgil Abloh?

"Virgil was here".Under luminescent red drones suspended in the air were set up the final silhouettes imagined by Virgil Abloh for the Louis Vuitton house of which he was the artistic director of the male collections, in Miami on November 30, 2021.

The show, programmed for a long time and thought of as a spin-off of the Men's Spring-Summer 2022 collection of the French house, revealed in Paris during male fashion week on June 24, 2021, became a tribute to the creator after his deathUnexpected on Sunday November 28, 2021. Twenty male silhouettes, including ten unpublished, trampled on the catwalk of this event which was held outdoors, a few meters from the sea. In the background, the lights of skyscrapers, a statueFrom Virgil Abloh watching on the crowd of guests and a red hot air balloon, the same as that of the campaign film announcing this parade.

At the time of the final, when the creator in charge of the collection is usually welcomed the public, the team of Virgil Abloh, whose emotion was palpable, came to thank the spectators among which Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Pharrell Williams.Last tribute to the designer: a masterful fireworks, above the ocean, for a farewell as radiant as the career of this genius stylist."Virgil was here".

A parade which was very followed as the steep disappearance of the stylist on Sunday, November 28, 2021 shaken the fashion world.The founder of the off-white label died at only 41 years old.He had been fighting for 2019 since 2019 he had chosen not to make public.In September 2019, he had announced to take a three -month break, stopping trips to work from his home.He then explained to Vogue US: "I was just tired (...) everything is fine but the doctor said to me:" This rhythm that you impose on your body, to travel all these kilometers, to work on all thesedifferent projects, is not good for your "" health.

What celebrities have paid tribute to Virgil Abloh?

Upon announcement on social networks of the death of Virgil Abloh, tributes flocking. Celebrities, fashion personalities, fans and anonymous posted their messages of condolence, photos and memories moved with this premature -disappeared art genius. It must be said that for many, Virgil Abloh was an accessible creator. Modern and very present on Instagram, it was always ready to pose or sign an object when it was recognized in the street by one of its many admirers. It was also a model of success, one of the first African-American and Afro-descendant fashion designers to exercise as artistic director within the LVMH group, determined to take on a mentor role for the young generation of Black designers thanks in particular to a program of school scholarships called "post-modern". Eva Chen, a great paperback of Instagram, also enjoined her 1.9 million subscribers to contribute to her message in memory to Virgil Abloh.

Among the celebrities particularly affected by the death of Virgil Abloh, there is Hailey Bieber who married just a year ago in a dress drawn by the stylist in person.She posted on her Instagram account a souvenir photo of this moment with the creator, stressing that "Virgil was a unique creative spirit in his generation".

Bella and Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner or Kaia Gerber, all accustomed to off-white parades, shared on social networks their love and their respect for the designer, evoking his laughter, his kindness and his generosity.

The creators also all praised Virgil Abloh's genius and career.Olivier Rousteing de Balmain, Maria Grazia Chiuri de Dior, Marc Jacobs, Simon Porte Jacquemus, Anthony Vaccarello de Saint Laurent, Alessandro Michele de Gucci, Stella McCartney ... Messages and praise have continued to flower on Instagram since 28November 2021.

Rapper Drake, singer Lenny Kravitz or the ex Top Model and First Lady Carla Bruni shared their memories of Virgil Abloh.For their sides, Pharrell Williams, footballer Kylian Mbappé, actors Idriss Elba and Omar Sy also reacted to the announcement of the creator's disappearance.

French rappers N.O.S. and ADEMO, from the PNL group, however little present on social networks, posted a very moving message on their official Instagram account."Thank you what show / Silence shines / The sky sparkles / thank you what style / a man scrolls / an angel invites him / life is beautiful / a soul falls asleep / she leaves a deep look / life is beautiful / asoul flies away / "off" white of black ".The two rappers often wore Virgil Abloh's creations on stage.A jacket had even been created specially for them, taking up the logo of the Off-White brand mixed with the group's symbol, an anatomical heart.

What message did his loved ones posted on Instagram?

It is via a message posted on the official Instagram account of Virgil Abloh, which has 7.1 million subscribers, that the relatives of the creator have chosen to address his community: "We are in despair to announce the Disappearance of our dear Virgil Abloh, father, husband, husband, son, dedicated brother. He leaves behind his wife Shannon Abloh, his children Lowe and Gray Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh, his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh, and many friends And close colleagues. For more than two years, Virgil has valiantly fought a rare and aggressive form of cancer: cardiac angiosarcoma. He had chosen to fight in intimacy since the diagnosis of his illness in 2019, crossing many and Difficult treatments, while directing several important institutions in the world of fashion, art and culture. Despite all these tests, its work ethics, its incredible curiosity, and its optimism never failed. Virgil was devoted to s A mission to open the doors for others and create paths for more equality in art and design. He often said: "All I do is for myself when I was 17 years old", he deeply believed in power that art has to inspire future generations. We thank you all for your love and your support, and we ask you to respect our privacy while we mourn and celebrate Virgil's life. "

Who is Shannon Abloh, Virgil Abloh's wife?

Virgil Abloh's family, mentioned in all funeral praise, was one of the creator's pillars.Composed of his wife, Shannon Abloh, and their two children, Lowe and Gray Abloh, she was very little exposed.Just we know that the stylist asked Shannon Abloh, born Shannon Sundberg, in marriage after 10 years of relationship and that they said "yes" to the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago in 2009 during a ceremony documented byThe Inside Weddings site.

Why LVMH cries the "genius designer" and the "visionary" of Vuitton?

To mark its modernity, the luxury group LVMH had appointed Virgil Abloh in 2018, adulated by young people and symbol of the absolute "cool", artistic director of the men's collections of the Louis Vuitton house, its flagship.He then succeeded Kim Jones and offered as a first show for the French house a rainbow of silhouettes.From parades to parades, the creator was able to refine his words, initiating new collaborations, as during his spring-summer 2022 show where Virgil Abloh had reinterpreted Air Force 1 of Nike and had adorned it with the LV logo.

On November 28, 2021, Bernard Arnault, the founder and president and chief executive officer of LVMH, said via the official Twitter account of his business: "We are in shock from this terrible news. Virgil was not only a engineering designer, a visionary, he was also a beautiful soul and a man of great wisdom. The whole LVMH family joins me to say his deep sadness. All, we think of those who loved him, who lost todayHui a husband, a father, a brother, a friend ".

For his part, Michael Burke, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton reacted to the official Instagram account of the luxury brand: "It was with deep sadness that I learned of the death of Virgil Abloh. Virgil wasNot just a friend, an incredible collaborator, a creator of genius, visionary and disruptive, he was also the best cultural communicator of our time. He paved the way for future generations. Fervent supporter of his community through his charity worksAnd his passions, he was an eternal optimist who believed that everything was possible. In the same spirit, we, in Louis Vuitton, will proudly continue to celebrate his inheritance through a final parade in Miami according to his wishes. I am honored to havecould call him my friend. My deepest thoughts go to his wife, children, parents, family and the whole community that has been touched by his greatness. "

What is Virgil Abloh's journey?

If we had to use a single adjective to qualify the American creator Virgil Abloh, there would be a debate between prolific and brilliant.In just over a decade, the designer born of Ghanaian parents on September 30, 1980 in Chicago was able to impose his name and his vision in the small fashion world.But before becoming artistic director of the male collections of Louis Vuitton, he undertook civil engineering studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, followed by an architecture diploma in the Illinois Institute of Technology in 2006. C'is in this sector that he begins to work before branching towards fashion and founding a hybrid space, between art gallery and male fashion shop, named RSVP Gallery.

What is the link between Virgil Abloh and Kanye West?

In parallel, the young man approaches Donda teams, the creative agency of rapper Kanye West, also from Chicago.He works there as a creative director and takes care of the scenography of his concerts as well as merchandising available for purchase after the show.He even accompanies Kanye West to Rome when he undertakes an internship at Fendi.He made himself on this occasion noted by Michael Burke, the CEO of Louis Vuitton.Kanye West, still present at Virgil Abloh's parades, soberly paid his sadness on Instagram following the death of his friend by posting a link to the Donda site.Only message readable on the home page Repeint in gray cement: "In tender memory of Virgil Abloh, the creative director of Donda".

When did he have founded the Pyrex Vision label and the Off-White brand?

It was in 2012 that Virgil Abloh launched his very first clothing brand. Her name ? Pyrex Vision. The principle is simple: the creator recovers stocks of Ralph Lauren rugby t-shirts and champion at low prices (the legend says that they cost 40 dollars per unit) which he prints figure 23, that of his player Favorite basketball, Michael Jordan, and named after his brand. Parts sold for the modest sum of $ 500 each. A year later, it is already over a Pyrex Vision. And for good reason. In 2013, Virgil Abloh decided to found Off-White, his luxury ready-to-wear label for men and women. An almost immediate success since the brand is noticed by the most prestigious stores and the stars of the US hip-hop scene. It is not uncommon to meet Rihanna, Asap Rocky or Jay-Z dressed in the creations signed off-white. Based in Milan, La Griffe joined Paris Fashion Week in 2014. Its parades, real happenings, bring together the cream of models including Bella and Gigi Hadid, Naomi Campbell, Kendall Jenner, Kaia Gerber…

Finally in 2015, Virgil Abloh and his label are even part of the finalists of the prestigious LVMH Prize. But consecrations arrived in 2021, when the French luxury group which owns Louis Vuitton, whose creator is then the artistic director of the men's collections, decided to invest in Off-White. Since July 20, 2021, the brand has therefore been owned by the company of Bernard Arnault up to 60%. "We are going to support Virgil and his team to grow still off-white ™ ️ and we can't wait for him to express his unique sensitivity in other projects that will affect the universe of luxury as a whole," said Bernard Arnault by press release. Could it have been the opportunity, for Virgil Abloh, to reconnect with his first loves like design and furniture? Or was it the assurance of bringing his inheritance to life by entrusting off-white to a luxury giant who will be able to find a successor to Virgil Abloh? What is certain is that the creator was one of the first Afro-descendant artistic directors to practice at this position at LVMH, and also one of the first to see his brand supported by the French luxury group.

What are the most famous collaborations by Virgil Abloh?

What contributed to the legend Virgil Abloh is the many collaborations he has initiated over the years, with labels sometimes completely unexpected.A way to affix your claw on heterogeneous objects, quickly sold out in store.In recent years have seen the Markerad collection, the IKEA X Virgil Abloh collaboration, but also several Drops Evian X Virgil Abloh or Levi's X Virgil Abloh.

But Virgil Abloh's most famous partnership is undoubtedly the one who linked it to Nike.In 2017, the sports equipment supplier unveiled the first pairs of sneakers in the Nike X Off-White collaboration.A real commercial success, the models of which resembled a few hours after their release at staggering prices.The legendary sneakers of the brand, like the air Jordan 1, the Air Max, or the Blazer Mind, put on the distinctive signs of off-white: the zip ties (these red labels not to be cut!), Words inCapital letters and transparency games, between apparent minimalism and surreal wink.Nike and Virgil Abloh also pushed their collaboration so far that the creator even signed the holding of the tennis player Serena Williams during the US Open in 2018.

Nike paid tribute to Virgil Abloh in a moving post on Instagram: "We have a heart broken by the news of the death of Virgil Abloh. Since 2016, Virgil has been a darling member of the Nike, Jordan and Converse family.Creative force that liked to challenge the status quo, pushed a new vision and inspired a whole generation at the same time. But more than a collaborator, colleague and prolific creative, Virgil was a husband, a father, a son, a brother, aFriend. We are proud to consider him as a member of our family. We present our condolences to all those who had a link with him. He will be infinitely regretted. "