Here Are 10 Things Fashion Designer Virgil Abloh Should Be Remembered For

The fashion industry is at a total loss as we grieve the passing of fashion designer and creative director Virgil Abloh. At 41, Abloh died of cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive kind of heart cancer. He chose to endure his battle privately since his diagnosis in 2019, all while overseeing several significant institutions that span fashion, art, and culture. Abloh was known for helming Off-White and Louis Vuitton. During his 10 years as a designer, he has collaborated with brands such as Nike, Ikea, Mercedes-Benz, and more. He was a wonderful soul, a visionary and a force of fashion. He often said, “Everything I do is for the 17-year-old version of myself,” believing deeply in the process and the power of art to inspire future generations. 

To pay tribute to his genius, here are 10 things Virgil Abloh should be remembered for. From his signature pieces, historic cultural movements, and contributions in the industry of art, music, and fashion. 

1. He was a man who wore many hats. Abloh was a DJ, music producer, art director, creative director, and designer. 

2. Abloh founded his first brand Pyrex Vision in New York. This brand highlighted shirts, hoodies, and deadstock flannel shirts.

3. Off-White was launched in 2013. This is where he combined his ideas of streetwear, luxury, architecture, art, music, and travel. To put it simply, Abloh defined Off-White as “the gray area between black and white as the color Off-White.”

4. Hovering quotation marks, four arrow symbols, industrial belts, zip ties, and binder clips are some of the key pieces Virgil Abloh should be remembered for. 

5. In 2018, Abloh became the first African-American Creative Director for Louis Vuitton.

6. His most iconic runway show was his debut collection for Louis Vuitton. Hosted in the famed Palais-Royal, Abloh heralded a new era for the brand in a rainbow gradient runway. The show was opened by 17 black male models clad in all-white ensembles. 

7. Abloh is famous for introducing the idea of "luxury gone street". Some of his most iconic designs for Louis Vuitton were the harnessed suits, sneakers, chain link bags, and holographic luggages.

8. In his ten years in the fashion industry, Abloh has collaborated with Nike, Heron Preston, Moncler, Jimmy Choo, Takashi Murakami, Kith, Ikea, and Mercedes-Benz. It will for sure take time to match his genius.

9. Abloh raised $1 million dollars to support and benefit Black students through the Virgil Abloh™️ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund. In partnership with the Fashion Scholarship Fund, this scholarship will not only provide funds to its recipients but they will also be given access to vital career support services and mentoring.

10. His book Figures of Speech is a 500-page almanac that featured his life’s work. In here, you’ll find 1,800 never-before-seen images pulled from Abloh’s design archives.

Rest in Power, Virgil Abloh.