The acclaimed artistic director of Louis Vuitton and the founder of “Off-White” has unfortunately passed away at 41 on November 28th. The exceedingly talented designer, Virgil Abloh, was able to change what was possible in fashion in many ways. He truly was a multi-hyphenate. In actuality, considered one of the most influential artists, Abloh made history as Louis Vuitton’s first Black artistic director. At Louis Vuitton, he elicited a younger demographic and simultaneously pushed artistic boundaries and challenged gender norms. 

Pursuing this further, Abloh’s greatest legacy includes his contribution to the sneaker community. Through his collaborations between “Off-White” and Nike, Virgil was able to convert consumer demand to much more than just comfort. His designs have left an indelible mark that lays emphasis on the idea that everything we do is a piece of art. The way that he was able to personalize everything that he touched is reflected through his simple but extremely meaningful ability to redefine things. Almost all of his collaborations between “Off-White”  and Nike feature this imperfect handmade quality; he always aimed to create something that wasn’t allowed to exist before and that is truly inspiring. 

Worth noting is that Abloh was also very big in the music world. As a prolific DJ, he played at huge music venues around the world. In addition to that, he also worked closely with many prominent figures in the music industry such as Kanye West, Playboi Carti and Kid Cudi. Lastly, as an artist and furniture designer, he has also collaborated with Mercedes Benz and Ikea.

Undoubtedly, in an industry that notoriously lacks diversity, the footprint that Virgil Abloh has left will definitely last!