Remembering Virgil Abloh: His rise in fashion, family, and cause of death

Virgil Abloh was a gifted American designer, entrepreneur, and DJ. He was the artistic designer of Louis Vuitton's men's clothing collection and the CEO of Off-White, a Milan-based fashion house founded in 2012. Virgil died in 2021 but his legacy leaves on.

Key takeaways

• Virgil Abloh broke barriers as the first African-American artistic director at Louis Vuitton for menswear.
• Abloh launched Off-White, a Milan-based luxury streetwear brand.
• Virgil held a degree in architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
• Born to Ghanaian immigrants, Virgil was a devoted husband to Shannon Abloh and the father of two children.
• Abloh was diagnosed with cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer.

Virgil Abloh profile summary

Virgil Abloh's biography

He was born on September 30, 1980, in Rockford, Illinois, USA. At the time of his death, Virgil Abhol's age was forty-one years.

He was the son of Ghanaian immigrants Nee (father) and Eunice (mother). The designer's father worked as a manager at a paint company while his mother was a seamstress. He had a sister known as Edwina Abloh.

Virgil Abloh's family

Virgil and his sister were born in Rockford, Illinois, U.S. His parents were Ghanaian immigrants from the Ewe tribe of the Volta region in Ghana. Therefore, he was American by birth, although he was of Ghanaian descent.

Virgil Abloh's education

He pursued higher education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 2002. His academic journey continued at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), where he obtained a Master of Architecture in 2006.

During his time at IIT, Abloh was influenced by the architectural works on campus, notably a building designed by Rem Koolhaas, which sparked his interest in fashion and design. He also wrote articles on fashion and design for The Brilliance blog.

Career

Virgil began his career as an intern at Fendi together with rapper Kanye West in 2009. His hard work, outstanding talent, and commitment to his career have seen him rise through the ranks to become one of the highly sought-after designers. Here is the breakdown of his career journey.

Rise to fame

While working as an intern, Abloh was placed in Fendi's office in Rome, Italy. On meeting Kanye West at the company, the duo started a collaborative relationship. His work was so great that he caught the eye of Louis Vuitton's chief executive officer, Michael Burke.

Abloh collaborated with Don C, Kanye's artistic partner, and together, they launched RSVP Gallery, a retail store in Chicago. One year later, Virgil was appointed by Kanye West to become the creative director of his DONDA Creative Agency.

In 2011, Virgil worked as the artistic director for Jay-Z and Kanye West's album, Watch the Throne. In 2012, Virgil Abloh's first brand company, known as Pyrex Vision, was launched. He purchased dead stock clothing from Ralph Lauren at $40, screen-printed designs, and sold them at over $550.

Unfortunately, Pyrex Company was closed after a year of operation. According to the owner, he aimed to experiment with his artistic nature instead of opening a commercial enterprise.

Does Virgil own Off White?

Yes, he does. In 2013, Virgil founded his first fashion house by launching a high-end streetwear brand known as Off-White. To his investors and critics, he described the company as the grey area between white and black.

In 2014, Virgil launched Off-White women's wear. The initial brand was based in Milan but has grown to other areas over the years. The brand has expanded to other countries such as:

• France
• China
• Japan
• United States

How did Off-White become famous? The brand gained fame after rapper A$AP Rocky was spotted rocking a pair of Pyrex shorts in his music video, Wild for the Night. The company is also known and loved for its distinctive features, such as:

• Quotation marks
• Zip-ties
• Capital letters
• Barricade tape

Virgil Abloh's Off-White company and partnerships

The talented designer has also worked with numerous other brands and individuals to produce great masterpieces. In 2017, he collaborated with Nike to design a new collection titled The Ten.

He designed numerous of Nike's best-selling shoes. While working with Nike, he applied his self-made rule of editing just 3% of the shoe. By doing this, he manages to maintain the shoe's original design.

Abloh also partnered with IKEA, a Swedish furniture company, to design furniture for houses and apartments. He worked. He designed chairs, coffee tables, beds, storage cabinets, mirrors, and carpets.

Who owns Off-White now?

As of September 2024, Bluestar Alliance, a New York-based brand management company, acquired Off-White from LVMH. The brand is now co-owned by Bluestar Alliance (60%) and Farfetch (40%)

Louis Vuitton, artistic designer

Virgil landed one of his major career deals on 25th March 2018 after being named the artistic director of Louis Vuitton's menswear line. He was the first African-American to lead the company's menswear line. He was also among the few black designers working in a major French fashion house.

In 2019, the designer was appointed to the board of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The council's main aim is to promote the American fashion industry.

While at Louis Vuitton, Virgil offered a new design for their beloved Millionaires sunglasses. Virgil Abloh's glasses are made from acetate and metal, featuring metallic S-Lock hinges. They are readily available in a range of colours.

Virgil Abloh's designs are celebrated for blending streetwear with high fashion. His label Off-White became iconic for its industrial aesthetics, quotation marks, and bold graphics. At Louis Vuitton, he broke barriers as the first African-American to lead menswear, redefining luxury fashion with inclusive, culturally resonant collections.

Virgil Abloh's books

For those interested in his life and legacy, the Virgil Abloh biography book titled “Abloh-isms” (edited by Larry Warsh) offers insight into his creative philosophy and personal reflections. It’s a curated collection of his most powerful quotes and design thoughts—perfect for fans and aspiring creatives alike.

These are some of the books under his name:

• Virgil Abloh: Nike. ICONS
• Virgil Abloh: Figures of Speech Special Edition
• A Team with No Sport - Virgil Abloh Pyrex Vision Flip Book

Who is Virgil's wife?

Virgil's wife is Shannon Abloh (née Sundberg). The two were high school sweethearts from Rockford, Illinois, and got married in 2009.

Virgil and Shannon exchanged their wedding vows in 2009 and have been blessed with two children, Grey and Lowe. The family of four lives in Lincoln Park, Chicago.

Following Virgil Abloh's death, she became the CEO and Managing Director of Virgil Abloh Securities, continuing his legacy and overseeing his creative and philanthropic endeavours.

Virgil Abloh's net worth

​At the time of his death in November 2021, Virgil Abloh's net worth was estimated at $100 million. This wealth stemmed from his influential roles in the fashion industry, notably as the founder of Off-White and as the artistic director for Louis Vuitton's menswear.

What happened to Virgil Abloh?

Virgil Abloh died after a private battle with cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

How did Virgil Abloh die?

What did Virgil Abloh die of? The CEO of Off-White and acclaimed designer for Louis Vuitton succumbed to cancer on Sunday, 28th November 2021, in Chicago, USA. His death was announced on his verified Instagram account, stating,

"Our hearts break at the news of the loss of Virgil Abloh, a loyal family man who was also a dear friend, brother, son, and spouse. Shannon, his beloved wife, his children Lowe and Grey, his sister Edwina, his parents Nee and Eunice, and a host of friends and colleagues are among those who will miss him dearly."

The news of his death caught the entertainment industry by surprise. Celebrities like Haile Berry and Elsa Majimbo shared their condolence messages with his family. Louis Vuitton also shared a moving tribute to him, praising him for his genius design skills.

Before his death, he was planning for Louis Vuitton's fashion show in Miami. Despite his death, Virgil Abloh's Louis Vuitton presentation of his Spring-Summer 2022 collection will go ahead on 30th November 2021 as scheduled.

How much did Louis Vuitton pay Virgil?

Virgil Abloh's compensation as the artistic director of Louis Vuitton's menswear line was reported to be around $10 million per year, encompassing salary, bonuses, and stock options. Other sources estimate his annual earnings to be approximately $3 million, reflecting variations in reported figures.

Virgil Abloh's facts

Apart from the details mentioned above, these facts about Virgil Abloh will help you know him better:

• He made his debut in the world of fashion with an internship at Fendi in 2009 alongside rapper Kanye West.
• He was a recipient of the Urban Luxe award at the 2017 British Fashion Awards.
• In 2018, Time magazine listed Virgil Abloh among the 100 most influential people in the world. He was one of the two designers named that year.
• In 2018, he collaborated with Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami on a series of artworks that brought the fashion world to the art world but ultimately transcended both to create something more.
• According to The Hollywood Reporter, Virgil was the first African-American menswear designer for the fashion label.

These details about Virgil Abloh's net worth immortalise the well-known fashion designer in the United States and across the globe. Apart from his successful career, he amassed great wealth and created a successful brand. He will be remembered for his genius design skills.

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Source: Briefly News