In Memoriam : Virgil Abloh, influential fashion designer, passes away at 41

Virgil Abloh, the influential fashion designer who is the founder of Off-White and the Men’s Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton, has died, his Instagram account confirmed this afternoon. Abloh died from a rare aggressive cancer.

Virgil Abloh Passes Away

“We are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved Virgil Abloh, a fiercely devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend,” the post reads. “He is survived by his loving wife Shannon Abloh, his children Lowe Abloh and Grey Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh, his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh, and numerous dear friends and colleagues.

For over two years, Virgil courageously battled a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma.  He chose to fight his battle privately since his diagnosis in 2019, undergoing numerous challenging treatments, all while helming several significant institutions that span fashion, art, and culture.

Through it all, his work ethic, infinite curiosity, and optimism never wavered. Virgil was driven by his dedication to his craft and to his mission to open doors for others and create pathways for greater equality in art and design. He often said, “Everything I do is for the 17-year-old version of myself,” believing deeply in the power of art to inspire future generations.

We thank you all for your love and support, and we ask for privacy as we grieve and celebrate Virgil’s life.”

Fashion Career

Abloh was born in Rockford, IL to Ghanaian immigrant parents. He graduated from the University Of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in civil engineering and received a master’s degree in architecture from the Illinois Institute Of Technology. While working at a print shop in Chicago, Abloh met Kanye West, and they ended up interning together at Fendi at the same time. Abloh would eventually become West’s creative director.

In 2013, Abloh launched his own fashion label Off-White, designing high-end streetwear clothes. He collaborated with brands like Levi’s, Nike, and IKEA. He was also the artistic director of menswear for Louis Vuitton in 2018, and earlier this year LVMH bought a 60% stake in his Off-White brand.

Outside of fashion, Abloh also designed album cover art and spearheaded visuals for Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, Lil Uzi Vert, Westside Gunn, and more. He also served as a DJ and occasionally released music, including a team-up with serpentwithfeet that was released earlier this year.

Virgil Abloh was 41 years old.