Pictured: Virgil Abloh 2019
Photographer: Fabien Montigue
Via: Museum of Contemporary Art
Do you know which designer created a brand to help erase classism between streetwear and high fashion? The brand that is neither black nor white- yet blurs the line between high fashion and streetwear, is affectionately called Off-White.
Virgil Abloh born September 30, 1980, in Rockford, IL was creative director, fashion designer, and face of the brand. Virgil’s parents; his father (Nee) a paint salesman and his mother (Eunice) a seamstress both fostered his creative nature. When Virgil was a little boy, his mother taught him how to sew, though Virgil didn’t tap into his full fashion abilities until later. Virgil had gigs as a DJ, t-shirt maker, and writer before finally getting hired to be on the creative team of an up-and-coming Chicago rapper by the name of Kanye West at the time.
After joining Kanye’s team Abloh’s career took off quickly. He started the brand Pyrex Vision in 2012, Off-White in 2013 which is still a popular brand amongst contemporary and sophisticated audiences. He is famous for his partnership with Nike (reenvisioning their classics), working under and for notable fashion designers and music industry artists alike, and even a short music career. In 2018 Abloh achieved perhaps his biggest feat of all when he became the Creative Director for Louis Vuitton. In 2021 the LVMH luxury group, which owns Louis Vuitton, procured Off-White and allowed Virgil to become the chairman of the company.
Shortly after Virgil lost his battle with cancer at the age of 41. His contributions to Chicago and fashion will forever be missed.
Pictured: Hailey Beiber wearing a wedding dress Virgil Abloh made for her in 2019
Via: Hailey Beiber Instagram
Pictured: Model wearing Virgil Abloh fall 2021-2022 collection
Photographer: Dominique Charriau
Via: Getty Images
Pictured: Model wearing Virgil Abloh 2022 Spring-Summer collection for Louis Vuitton
Photographer: Dominique Charriau
Via: Wire Image/Getty Images
Pictured: Model wearing Virgil Abloh Fall-Winter 2021 collection for Louis Vuitton
Photographer: Pascal Le Segretain
Via: ABA/Getty Images
Photo Credits
First image (top)
Pictured: Virgil Abloh 2019
Photographer: Fabien Montigue
Via: Museum of Contemporary Art
https://mcachicago.org/calendar/2019/06/art-edge-celebrating-virgil-abloh
Second image
Pictured: Hailey Beiber wearing a wedding dress Virgil Abloh made for her in 2019
Via: Hailey Beiber Instagram
https://www.cnn.com/style/gallery/virgil-abloh-designs-gallery/index.html
Third image
Pictured: Model wearing Virgil Abloh Fall 2021-2022 collection
Photographer: Dominique Charriau
Via: Getty Images
https://www.cnn.com/style/gallery/virgil-abloh-designs-gallery/index.html
Fourth image
Pictured: Model wearing Virgil Abloh 2022 Spring-Summer collection for Louis Vuitton
Photographer: Dominique Charriau
Via: Wire Image/Getty Images
https://www.cnn.com/style/gallery/virgil-abloh-designs-gallery/index.html
Fifth image
Pictured: Model wearing Virgil Abloh Fall-Winter 2021 collection for Louis Vuitton
Photographer: Pascal Le Segretain
Via: ABA/Getty Images
https://www.cnn.com/style/gallery/virgil-abloh-designs-gallery/index.html