Virgil Abloh, former artistic director of menswear at Louis Vuitton and founder of Off-White, was an innovative multihyphenate whose works challenged the institutional definition of creativity and transcended disciplinary boundaries. Some of Abloh’s notable works include Prism, an iridescent plastic duffel bag launched by Louis Vuitton that makes a powerful statement of intent, the Mercedes Benz G-Class Model, an idiosyncratic version of a common SUV that introduces a new standard for luxury, and the Ikea Receipt Carpet, a daring leap from postmodern art. Following Abloh’s recent death from a private battle with cardiac cancer, the art community has united to reflect upon the legacy of a visionary creator whose trailblazing contributions to the industry extended far beyond just art.
Born to Ghanaian immigrants in Rockford, Illinois, Abloh gained prominence in the past decade with the rise of high-end street fashion, or what he called the “post-streetwear movement,” stemming from hip hop culture. As a designer, Abloh actively worked to tear down the traditional notion of separating streetwear and luxury. From Dior partnering with Nike on exclusive Air Jordans, to Gucci teaming up with Harlem artist Dapper Dan and Louis Vuitton collaborating with BAPE, “old luxury” is slowly integrating itself with a modernist movement founded on knowledge, access, and boldness. Whether you were an inspired fan or an onlooker, it was clear that Abloh revolutionized artistic creativity by encouraging worldwide designers to reconsider the various pre-existing limitations within the fashion industry. The growing power of social media contributed to legitimizing street culture as online platforms allowed independent creators to influence trends without support from traditional retailers. Luxury had transformed into a place for the growth of culture and artistic ideas.
Abloh’s unwillingness to conform and his charismatic presence contradicted the workings of the traditional fashion industry, which was centered around exclusion. As one of the few African-Americans to lead a luxury fashion brand and the first African-American to head a French one, Abloh quickly became a role model for young artists of color. In hopes of supporting the future generations of Black fashion leaders, Abloh established the “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund in 2020 that raised over a million dollars for academic scholarships. Alongside financial aid, Abloh fostered equity within the industry by giving recipients access to career support programs and personalized mentoring. Attempting to further expand his support system, Abloh later added a digital resource center on his homepage for brands in their earliest phases to learn more about the necessary starting blocks in creating a brand, such as the steps to naming a brand, obtaining trademarks, shooting a lookbook, and more. When announcing his initiatives to promote inclusivity and level the playing fields, Abloh noted, “I’ve always been passionate about giving the next generation of students the same foundation for success that was given to me.” Such efforts to not only break boundaries but also ensure others could follow is arguably one of the most valuable pieces of Abloh’s legacy.
From effectively amalgamating two disparate artistic worlds to addressing the unseen social inequalities in the field of art, there is no exaggeration in labeling Abloh as an influencer who has changed the world. Equating freedom with creative greatness, Abloh was a pioneer who valued exploration and prioritized a judgment-free environment based on a “get it wrong if you need to a couple of times” mindset. Abloh mentioned in a January 2021 podcast interview with American singer Pharrell Williams that he had one mission in mind: “to make sure there’s, like, six young Black kids that take my job after me.” Reflecting upon the factors that influence today’s fashion landscape, it’s safe to say that Abloh’s contributions remain at the top of the list.
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