Is there ever a “right” thing to say when someone passes?
A brief Google search will tell you to say things like “I’m so sorry for your loss” and “sending my deepest sympathies.” Still, more often than not, the recipients of the bad news are rendered speechless, knowing that no amount of words, calls or emojis will ever be able to encapsulate the wonderful person that has suddenly left. I mean, what is there to say?
Such is the world’s reaction at the sudden passing of designer extraordinaire Virgil Abloh, who at only 41 died of a rare form of cancer. Because his illness was kept secret, the news was especially shocking as he was seen only a few months ago at the Met Gala in September, looking just as cool as ever. But as the hours have passed since the news broke on Sunday, the initial sorrowful speechlessness has since transformed into an outpouring of love and support, with emotional goodbyes and tributes from everyone from Hailey Bieber to Kanye West.
As the public’s grief has rightfully taken over social media, similar words continue to appear: powerful, barrier-breaking and revolutionary. And they’re right. As the creative genius behind Off-White and Louis Vuitton’s menswear line, Virgil Abloh and his works will be remembered for reshaping luxury fashion. He elevated and expanded streetwear, exemplified by the success of his own brand. He pushed the boundaries of gender norms and questioned so-called “men’s staples” with his work at the French design house. And he paved the way for so many other BIPOC creatives within the industry.
While it’s a cliché to say, even though Virgil Abloh is gone, he will not be forgotten. His spirit will forever live in the ground-breaking work he shared with the world. FASHION has rounded up a few of the designer’s best works to celebrate his life and legacy.
Timothée Chalamet at the 2019 Golden Globe Awards
For non-fashion folk, their first real introduction to the genius that was Virgil Abloh was Timothée Chalamet’s Golden Globes harness look. Abloh’s harness was first introduced in his Spring 2019 collection for Louis Vuitton and became one one of the designer’s trademarks.
Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring 2019
For his debut at Louis Vuitton Menswear, Abloh was inspired by the idea of white light hitting a prism, and the rainbow effect that follows. Besides the obvious reference to his personal label Off-White (the show’s first looks were all white), Abloh’s first collection infused his streetwear aesthetic with LV decadence and was an undeniable success at revamping the French brand.
Serena Williams 2018 US Open
Way before the pandemic, Abloh was already mixing athleisure with couture. While this tutu creation started out as part of the part of the Serena Williams x Nike Queen collab (with which he helped design), it ultimately served as his main source of inspiration for his athletically inclined Spring 2019 collection for Off-White.
Louis Vuitton Menswear Fall 2019
For his sophomore show, Abloh cemented his place in designer history with this re-imagining of the classic LV motif, usually preserved for handbags, now transformed into a utilitarian jacket.
Off-White x IKEA
For anyone who thought IKEA couldn’t do streetwear, Abloh instantly proved them all wrong with this 2019 collab. Although the pieces sold out in minutes, the selection included this bag as well as a rug that resembled an IKEA receipt amongst others.
Hailey Bieber’s Wedding Dress
In 2019, Hailey Bieber said “I do” in this custom Off-White wedding dress. “From day one, I said I wanted Virgil,” Hailey told Vogue. “I didn’t want somebody who was a wedding dress designer. I just feel like my style and my street style is such a part of who I am, and Virgil has always been in my corner since the beginning.”
Off-White Spring 2020
Off-White’s Spring 2020 collection, entitled “Meteor Strike,” perhaps best shows off Abloh’s refined sense of humour, as bags, shoes and apparel all featured meteor craters holes.
Off-White Fall 2020
Never afraid to push the boundaries, Off-White’s Fall 2020 collection is another example of Abloh combing streetwear with couture in an avant-garde assortment.
Off-White Spring 2020
Affectionately thought of as the King of Collabs, Abloh worked with New York artist Futura — aka Lenny McGurr — to incorporate spray strokes and hand-drawn alien figures into suits, jackets and denim.
Off-White Menswear Spring 2020
Louis Vuitton Menswear Fall 2020
Never one to do the expected, Abloh explored what male suiting looks like in 2020. With six different ideations of a skinny suit alone, the designer was inspired by a calm surrealism, hence the clouds.
Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring 2021
Abloh’s campy collection was a much needed remedy during quarantine. Described by the designer as “hypnovisualism,” the virtual show included an animated video by filmmaker Reggie Know entitled “Zoooom With Friends”, which featured cartoon animal “stowaways” jumping aboard LV shipping containers.
Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring 2021
Louis Vuitton Menswear Fall 2021
As the first Black man to serve as Louis Vuitton’s creative director, Abloh enjoyed exploring the idea of heritage in his work. For LV’s Fall 2021 show, this translated to exploring what it means to be an American, working in Europe, with African roots.
Louis Vuitton Menswear Fall 2021
Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring 2022
Abloh’s legacy and impact on fashion is impossible to express in merely a few words. But one of the things he did best was up-root gender conventions in menswear. For what is now his final collection at Louis Vuitton, he did just that through the use of the colour pink, puffer skirts and rainbow furs.
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