“Gone But Not Forgotten”

There are few leaders in the fashion industry who can take streetwear and high fashion couture and turn them into a household staple. No one has done it better than Virgil. From the suburban neighborhood of Rockville, Illinois Virgil Alboh absorbed entities from multiple subcultural outlets. Born as a 80’s baby he was a rebel type who was driven by fashion, hard work and dedication. He thrived on helping the millennial. He wanted this generation dreaming big as part of his goals. He had hopes that those that he reached would find inspiration and one day do it themselves. Virgil expanded outside of the typical repeat in fashion history. Creating something new was what he would call an achievement. The strongest Afro American designer in the luxury game. From urban streets to the cat walks of Milan.

Mega forces in the industry made way for him giving him the opportunity to showcase his urban flavor with top notch style. It leaves no wonder why Louis Vuitton couldn’t turn him away. Now a legend in the sky, at only 41, he is remembered through media sources and is a part of the Brooklyn Museums main exhibitions. ‘Figures of Speech’ exits January 29^th, 2023. Yes there’s still time to catch his master pieces from garments to sculptures. Virgil’s major accomplishments would include his streetwear brand Off White, a position with L.V. leading him to collaborate with the likes of Ye, Levi’s, Ikea and Nike.

Being artistic director for Louis Vuitton menswear was Abloh’s ultimate premise that he dreamt of while living in Paris. Who would think, taking t-shirts and hoodies designed out of an Italian design house would impact the entire game, taking couture to the next level. Knowing how and when to hit the market was his strongest tactic.

Initially Virgil was guided by his parents who influenced him into receiving a formal education in architecture and civil engineering. So where did his sewing skills come from? Learning how to sew came from his mother, Eunice Abloh, she was a seamstress who knew how to whip a stitch. Being the maverick that Virgil was he couldn’t help but to combine all that he learned and apply it into a fashion career. He fulfilled his dream with help from designers such as Kanye West, Kim Jones and Jimmy Choo. He became one of the top black executives in the world with a net worth of over 100 million dollars.

Jet setting was an every day lifestyle at his height. Flying city to city and country to country going non stop between Chicago, Amsterdam, Berlin, Stockholm and Los Angeles. Abloh hustled daily and even DJ’d from time to time. He was a muse to musicians such as Drake and Young Thug. During an interview by Naomi Cambell he once stated “ As someone who doesn’t see the line between music and fashion I’m all about cross pollenization but I love how those worlds have gotten closer.” We’re blessed to have had a teacher so great, a person who cared about our youth and taught us to expand our minds, be innovative and have no limits to what we can accomplish. Keep knocking, doors will eventually open.