Legendary fashion designer Virgil Abloh died at the age of 41 after battling cancer privately for several years. The designer's friends and colleagues at Louis Vuitton and Off-White announced the tragic news on Sunday, saying they are all shocked and devastated.
"Virgil was not only a genius designer, a visionary, he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom," Bernard Arnault, Chief Executive Officer of LVMH, said in a statement. "The LVMH family joins me in this moment of great sorrow and we are all thinking of his loved ones after the passing of their husband, their father, their brother or their friend."
LVMH, Louis Vuitton and Off White are devastated to announce the passing of Virgil Abloh, on Sunday, November 28th, of cancer, which he had been battling privately for several years. pic.twitter.com/CytwZLvSFu
— LVMH (@LVMH) November 28, 2021
Abloh's family also expressed their sorrow in a statement released to the public. The family said their loved one has been battling cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare aggressive form of cancer, for more than two years.
"He chose to endure his battle privately since his diagnosis in 2019, undergoing numerous challenging treatments, all while helming several significant institutions that span fashion, art and culture," the family said.
The iconic designer is remembered as a "fiercely devoted father, husband, son, brother and friend." He leaves behind his wife, Shannon, his children Lowe and Grey, as well as sister Edwina and parents Nee and Eunice.
"Through it all, his work ethic, infinite curiosity and optimism never wavered. Virgil was driven by his dedication to his craft and to his mission to open doors for others and create pathways for greater equality in art and design," loved ones said. "He often said, 'Everything I do is for the 17-year-old version of myself,' believing deeply in the power of art to inspire future generations."
Wow. Rest In Peace Virgil Abloh. He had privately been battle cancer for years pic.twitter.com/Aweb3odP7S
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 28, 2021
According to the New York Daily News, the Chicago native worked as an intern at Fendi in 2009. That's when he formed a relationship with Kanye West and eventually becoming the creative director of DONDA. He also served as the artistic director for the 2011 album Watch the Throne from West and Jay-Z.
Abloh’s streetwear fashion house, Off-White, was founded in 2013. Five years later, Louis Vuitton brought him into the company as the artistic director of the menswear ready wear line. The trailblazer became one of the only Black designers to lead a major French fashion house.
