The Fashion World Remembers Visionary Designer Virgil Abloh

The fashion world is paying tribute to Virgil Abloh following the shocking news of his death on November 28th at the age of 41, following a long battle with a rare form of cancer. The Off-White founder and artistic director of menswear at Louis Vuitton was “not only a genius designer, a visionary, he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom,” LVMH chairman and chief executive Bernard Arnault said in a statement. 

Virgil Abloh’s Influence Will Be Remembered Well Beyond Fashion

Donatella Versace called the boundary-breaking designer, who remained determined to open doors for others following his own stratospheric ascent in the industry, a “creator for the history books.” “He always worked for a greater cause than his own illustrious career,” said British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful. “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.” 

Valentino creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli said Abloh changed the game of fashion with his “disruptive humanity and curiosity.” A-Cold-Wall* founder Samuel Ross, one of many young Black designers who were mentored by Abloh, posted a black square and a broken heart emoji after news of his death was confirmed on Sunday. Supermodel Gigi Hadid, a regular on Abloh’s Off-White runways, said the designer would be “forever adored, forever magical.” 

See these and more fashion world tributes to Virgil Abloh below.