Virgil Abloh passed away after a long battle with cancer

Virgil Abloh, the American-born son from Ghanaian immigrants who rose to prominence as fashion’s most visible Black designer. And the creative force behind Louis Vuitton’s menswear collections, died on Sunday at the age of 41, after a two-year battle with a rare form of cancer.

Abloh, a DJ and visual artist, had been the men’s artistic director of Louis Vuitton, the world’s largest luxury brand, since March 2018.

Abloh founded the Italian luxury streetwear label Off-White, which LVMH recently acquired a 60% stake. He previously worked with rapper and fashion designer Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. Who dedicated his latest Sunday Service album to Abloh.

“Virgil was not only a brilliant designer and a visionary, but he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom,” said Bernard Arnault. Billionaire CEO of Luis Vuitton’s owner, French fashion conglomerate LVMH, in a statement on Sunday.

After being born near Chicago in 1980, Abloh and his sister were raised in Rockford, Illinois. Due to a 2018 Vogue magazine profile, his mother, a seamstress, taught him the craft basics when he was a child.

After that, Abloh and Ye interned at Fendi in Rome and attended Paris Fashion Week. By 2010, Abloh was working as the creative director for Donda, Ye’s creative agency. He also created Ye’s “Yeezus” and “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” albums.

Abloh arrival at LVMH in 2018 marked the union of streetwear and high-end fashion. As he wore sneakers and camouflage pants alongside tailored suits and evening gowns. Graffiti art, hip hop, and skateboard culture were among his influences.

The group embraced the style as it sought to revitalize some labels and attract younger customers.

A frequent traveler, Abloh generated buzz for products ranging from Ikea doormats that read “Keep Off” to Moet & Chandon champagne bottles and Evian water. However, Abloh slowed his pace slightly in 2019, citing health concerns, and he skipped an Off-White fashion show that year.

To increase the popularity of the Louis Vuitton label, Abloh used messages of inclusivity and gender fluidity. Weaving themes of racial identity into his fashion shows with poetry performances and art installations.

Last summer, when many labels canceled fashion shows to reach Asian consumers stranded by the coronavirus pandemic. The designer sent his colorful suits and utilitarian-inspired outerwear collections to Shanghai.