Virgil Abloh Has Died at Age 41

Virgil Abloh, menswear artistic director of Louis Vuitton and founder and CEO of Off-White™, has died after a private multi-year battle with cancer.

 

The renowned fashion designer was known for shifting the landscape of streetwear and luxury fashion, serving as both the founder and CEO of his successful luxury label Off-White™, in addition to being the first Black fashion designer to lead Louis Vuitton’s menswear line. As a designer and creative director, Abloh worked to fuse the industries of contemporary culture and luxury fashion with an approach that centered on art history, youth culture, graphic design, music and more.
On Sunday afternoon, statements were released from LVMH and Abloh’s personal Instagram account announcing the designer’s death.

 

 

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Abloh had been quietly battling a rare, aggressive form of cancer called cardiac angiosarcoma for the last two years.

“He chose to endure his battle privately since his diagnosis in 2019, undergoing numerous challenging treatments, all while helming several significant institutions that span fashion, art, and culture,” the statement reads. “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.”

Abloh is remembered through his wife Shannon and his children Lowe and Grey.