A Man, A Brand, and A Legacy: Virgil Abloh
Instagram - @virgilabloh
Virgil Abloh passed away from cancer on the 28th of November 2021, but left behind a significant legacy. Abloh took the fashion world by storm when he established his streetwear fashion brand ‘OFF-WHITE,’ revamping the image and stigma surrounding clothing. High fashion is known to be extremely exclusive and dominated by the white upper class. As a first-generation Ghanaian immigrant, with no direct fashion training, but a master’s in architecture, he showed future generations that it was possible to penetrate the sector.[1]
Learning to sew from his mother, Virgil did not strictly spend his life designing clothing. He was a multi-hyphenated talent working as a creative director alongside Kanye West in Donda, a furniture maker, a DJ, and a clothing designer. The fluidity of his work showed those at the top of the industry, that you did not need to go through the systematic process of fashion school.[2]
Abloh bridged the gap between high fashion and streetwear to turn his brand into a cult favourite. The name ‘OFF-WHITE’ in itself encapsulates this as it refers to the grey colour that is neither black or white, just like his brand. It is somewhere in between. His concepts, such as putting words in quotation marks on his clothing allowed people to interpret and ask questions to keep an open conversation going regarding his designs.
As well as his own cult brand, Abloh made history by being the first African- American to lead Louis Vuitton. Again, Abloh played a huge part in changing the way the industry works. He opened a space for a generation of marginalised groups to move into and started a scholarship programme to aid them in their journey. At Louis Vuitton for his SS22 collection, he combined his roots with high fashion. Using traditional Ghanaian Kente fabric and modern prints and logos, he provided a platform for African dress as well as making the brand far more relatable for a fresh generation. [3]
For debuting other collections, Abloh always had a unique and ground-breaking concept to frame his designs. One of the most memorable shows was his SS19 debut for Louis Vuitton. It was not just the way he presented his designs down the rainbow-coloured catwalk in a park in Paris, but it was the emotional hug with Kanye West at the end, which saw them both in tears that stayed in my mind and captivated many minds across the world.[4]
Virgil Abloh was a force to be reckoned with. He was taken too early with so much more to give to the world of design. However, with his exceptional talent and incredible, creative mind, he has left a huge legacy and an open platform that will help diversify high fashion.
All I can say is thank you to Abloh for being such an inspiration to me. He helped me diversify my own view of high fashion and introduce new concepts and collaborations that excited and amazed me. What he accomplished in such a short space of time, will create motivation for many, many years to come.
By Juliette Hughes - English Pathway, Marketing Director
[1] Wikepedia, ‘Early Life and Education’ Virgil Abloh <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgil_Abloh#Early_life_and_education>.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ole Spötter and Weixin Zha, This is what Virgil Abloh will be remembered for, Translated and edited into english by Kelly Press, (Fashion United U.K: Friday 3rd December 2021 <https://fashionunited.uk/news/people/this-is-what-virgil-abloh-will-be-remembered-for/2021120359825>.
[4] Ibid.