Bella Hadid, BTS, Kendall Jenner & More Pay Tribute to Virgil Abloh

Legendary designer Virgil Abloh died after a long battle with cancer on Sunday, November 28, and tributes have been pouring in from all around the world since news of his passing broke that same day. Virgil, the artistic director of Louis Vuitton menswear and CEO of Off-White, had been an innovator and change-maker in the fashion industry thanks to his talent, artistry, and ability to make others feel accepted and empowered through fashion. Aside from being one of fashion's biggest names, Abloh was also a prominent DJ and music producer.

After news of his passing, celebrities, fashion insiders, and musicians who had worked and become friends with Abloh took to social media to share their grief, as well as precious memories of their time together. Below, see some of the most touching tributes to Abloh from the people he touched and inspired.

Bella Hadid

The model posted a gallery of pics of herself and Abloh, including one of them FaceTiming, along with a tribute message. "You broke boundaries and made everything your own. You shared your love infinitely. The way your brain worked was beyond anything, and the way you did every single thing in life for your family, friends, and for the better," she wrote. "We’re gonna miss you a lot V. You really saw me and supported me on every level. As you did to so many of us. An ethereal light. You always inspired to keep pushing, work hard and be kind."

BTS

The South Korean group, who are currently global ambassadors of Louis Vuitton and walked during Abloh's last show for the line, also took to Twitter to share their condolences. The septet wrote that it was "an honor" to work with Abloh and that he was a “true creative genius.”

Kendall Jenner 

Kendall, who wore Off-White to the Met Gala in 2018 and was friends with the designer, also posted a handful of photos with Abloh and a beautiful statement. "If you had the privilege of knowing Virgil, you were one of the lucky ones. He was the kindest, most positive, humble, joyful, and full of light person I have ever known," she shared. "He had the most wonderful way of making you feel so special. His genuine smile would warm your heart. To battle his illness privately perfectly explains the type of man he was, he never wanted anyone to worry about him. We have lost a dear friend. No words do my feelings justice at this very moment, but what I can say is that I am absolutely heartbroken. For his family, his kids, his wife, and anyone who cared for him deeply."

Gigi Hadid

"I am heartbroken by the loss of my dear friend, and a friend to the world, Virgil Abloh. He was 1 of 1," Gigi Hadid wrote in her tribute. "His kindness and energetic generosity left a lasting impression on every life he touched— he made everyone feel seen and special. He will be deeply missed, cherished, and celebrated by me and all the people and industries that have been lucky enough to work around & know the true supernova behind this man."

Hailey Bieber

Abloh worked closely with Hailey to design her breathtaking wedding gown and shared several photos of the process along with her tribute post for the late creative. "Virgil completely changed the way I looked at street style and fashion, the way he looked at things inspired me deeply. I will never be able to fully express how grateful I am to have known him and worked with him, from walking on his runways to having him design my wedding dress and all the other amazing moments in between, I felt he was always rooting for me," she wrote. "He was someone who always brought life, charisma, love and fun to any situation, and every room he walked into. A once in a generation creative mind that is so rare and I’ll never forget his impact. We love you Virgil."

Timothée Chalamet 

The actor shared a handful of photos as a tribute to Abloh, including one of a text exchange between them and another of them hugging. He also included the Dylan Thomas poem "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night."

Bobby Hundreds 

"Everybody has a Virgil story," the designer wrote in his post, calling Vigil a “masterful designer.”

Phillip Lim

"We lost a guardian of culture, fashion, and of humanity today. While we are all still in disbelief, and mourning this massive lost, lets [sic] not let his passing be in vain," wrote the designer, who first met Abloh in 2010 via Kanye West. "Let it be a reminder of living a life of possibilities, of grace, of change. Take what he blazed and continue to break down the barriers. Accept mortality and then make the most of it. Be the change."

Frank Ocean

The musician shared his thoughts to Instagram Stories, writing, "I know grief is love you don't get to express so this is an attempt at expressing it. Love you V. You're a hero."

Billie Eilish

"I'm devastated," Billie wrote on IG Stories, later sharing a photo of herself and Abloh along with three broken heart emojis.

Finneas 

Billie's brother Finneas called Abloh an “inspiration to so many,” including himself, in his tribute posted to Twitter.

Pharrell

"Virgil you were a kind, generous, thoughtful creative genius," wrote Pharrell in his tribute post. "Your work as a human and your work as a spiritual being will live forever."

Kris Jenner 

The momager shared a gallery of pics of Abloh, including one of them posing together. "I’m so so saddened and devastated to hear about the passing of our dear friend Virgil Abloh. I’m sending all of my love and prayers to his beautiful family. You are an angel @virgilabloh and we love you," she wrote.

Kylie Jenner 

Kylie, on the other hand, reported Kendall's tribute to her IG stories, writing, "This really hurts. We love you, Virgil" alongside a broken heart emoji.

Amanda Gorman

The poet, who wore a gown designed by Abloh for her Vogue cover, wrote, "I count myself so privileged to have met you and to have worn such a beautiful piece by you designed in honor of your grandmother. I knew then I was experiencing the honor of wearing a designer whose work transcends both past and present. To rephrase something you once said, let us paint new pictures where the old ones have been erased."

Kaia Gerber 

Kaia posted a beautiful tribute to the designer along with two black and white photos of them together. "In a world where smiles are too rare, and kindness is even rarer, there was you. With your laughter and your light and your positivity," she shared. "I would look to you when it felt like everything was spinning and somehow you always made it go quiet. You saw people, and through your art you gave them the courage to be themselves."

Cynthia Erivo 

The actor shared a tribute to the designer on Instagram, calling him "a true creative, a visionary, a dreamer, an example of impossible possibilities."

Russell Westbrook

The athlete posted a pic of himself and Abloh together, also writing that the designer was "a true inspiration."

LeBron James 

LeBron shared a group shot with Abloh and a pic of custom Off-White Nikes with "Virgil was here" written on them. “Rest in paradise, legend,” he wrote in his caption.

Adut Akech

The model, who had worked with Abloh on several occasions, shared several shots of herself wearing Abloh-designed pieces, including a stunning tiered ruffled gown. "It was an honor to know and be in your presence, Virgil. To work with you and be in your creative world. Thank you for all that you’ve done for the culture," she wrote. "We’ve lost a real one. But your legacy will live forever."

Drake

"My plan is to touch the sky 1000 more times for you," Drake wrote about his friend. "Love you eternally brother."

Cara Delevingne

The model wrote that she was "in shock" about the news. "This man has done so much for so many people. He lived his life for creation and for others in so many ways. I only hope that with his decision to face this battle in private, that he felt and was surrounded by all the love that the world and the people close to him felt," she shared on Instagram. "You will never be forgotten and you will continue to inspire so many everyday [sic]."

Lenny Kravitz

"You made an indelible mark on this world," wrote the musician.

Venus Williams 

The tennis legend wore Off-White on and off the court and was an admirer of Abloh's work. "I always watched everything he did so closely and it inspired me to be better in everything I do. His collections literally brought me to tears because they were so connected so beautiful and so inspiring," she wrote. "I have a feeling everything I do and experience next year will be for Virgil and inspired by Virgil."

Cardi B

Cardi posted an Instagram Stories tribute, saying "He made amazing impact in the fashion industry and on the culture. I don't see anyone ever doing it like him ever again."

Offset

The rapper shared a video of Abloh writing on his Off-White Nike Air sneakers, writing, "thank you for what you have done for our culture and community as a Black man u changed the game in design & fashion you believed in our youth."

Megan Rapinoe

The athlete posted a pic of herself and Abloh in coordinating shades of red. "You changed the world," she said of the designer.

Winnie Harlow

The model posted several shots of herself and Abloh together, writing of the designer, "RIP to a visionary and icon who helped push the culture forward and open doors and break down barriers, who made the next generation of creatives feel anything is possible."

Riz Ahmed

The actor tweeted that Abloh "stretched culture & the changed the game. Thank you for all you did to support so many & how you pushed us to reimagine what’s possible."

Kevin Abstract

The rapper shared that he was "heartbroken" over the news, adding that Abloh "changed the culture forever."

The Weeknd

The Weeknd shared a simple tweet, writing only Abloh's name and adding a few broken heart emojis.

April Reign

"Horrible news about Virgil Abloh. And, of course, thinking about Chad, who was just a few years older. How these Black men suffered in silence," the activist wrote on Twitter. "The barriers they broke, despite the toll it was taking. And what it says about US that they chose to fight silently. F*ck cancer."

CHIKA

The rapper shared just a few words on Twitter.

Kehlani

"Rest in absolute peace," Kehlani tweeted, later lamenting the loss in some other tweets.

Marshmello

Marshmello called Abloh "an absolute legend and visionary" in a Twitter tribute.

Matthew A. Cherry

"41 is way too young," tweeted the filmmaker in reference to Abloh's death.

Edward Enninful

The editor-in-chief of British Vogue shared a touching tribute to the designer on Instagram. "Famously prolific, he always worked for a greater cause than his own illustrious career: to open the door to art and fashion for future generations, so that they - unlike himself - would grow up in a creative world with people to mirror themselves in. Virgil believed that anything was possible for humankind, if only we could tear ourselves away from unconscious biases and norms and reassume the imagination we had as children," he wrote. "His achievements won’t just live on. They will continue to evolve, because we are only seeing the beginning of his impact on the creative industries and surrounding world. My thoughts are with his family and all those who loved him. Rest in peace, Virgil, a giant among men."

Victoria Beckham

The designer called Abloh a "true inspiration in so many ways."

Donatella Versace

"The world has lost a fashion superstar. An innovator. A creator for the history books. I am thinking of all your loved ones on this tragic day," wrote Donatella, sharing a pic of herself and Abloh at an event with Naomi Campbell.

Kim Jones

The designer shared memories of working with his friend and fashion colleague. "Many great times spent traveling the world and hanging out in hotel rooms working on the floor and going through Japanese magazines and laughing and talking about ideas," he wrote.

Marc Jacobs

"Thank you for all you have given us," designer Marc Jacobs wrote on Instagram.

Stella McCartney

Fellow designer Stella McCartney posted a few sweet pics in honor of Abloh. "My time knowing you was brief, but you hit me hard with a bolt of deeply inspired impact, true talent and a desire to bring a better meaning to the world of fashion and design," she shared. "You will be missed on so many levels. Rest in peace and fly high… you are and will always be a star with grace and beauty."

Eva Chen

Eva Chen and Virgil became friends after meeting at an event and even created an Instagram filter together. "A lot of words will be used to describe Virgil in the coming days/weeks/years. I’ll always remember him as, yes, a visionary but also kind, generous, and funny. He always wanted to help kids realize their dreams. If Virgil inspired you, please consider donating to his scholarship fund," she wrote.

Kid Cudi

Kid Cudi, who famously wore a dress designed by Abloh on SNL, reacted to the news on Twitter. “He just sent me a text yesterday morning,” he wrote mourning Abloh's death.

Let us slide into your DMs. Sign up for the Teen Vogue daily email.

Want more from Teen Vogue? Check this out:

• Legendary Fashion Designer Virgil Abloh Has Died
• Virgil Abloh Talks His Fashion Journey, Off-White Conception, and Career Advice