Virgil Abloh Dead - Louis Vuitton Artistic Director & Off-White Founder Dies at 41

Virgil Abloh has sadly died.

The designer, founder of Off-White and artistic director of Louis Vuitton‘s menswear collection passed away at the age of 41 due to a private battle with cancer, the company confirmed Sunday (November 28).

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“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,” they wrote in a statement.

“We are all shocked after this terrible news. Virgil was not only a genius designer, a visionary, he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom. 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,” Louis Vuitton exec Bernard Arnault said in a statement.

“We are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved Virgil Abloh, a fiercely devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his loving wife Shannon Abloh, his children Lowe Abloh and Grey Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh, his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh, and numerous dear friends and colleagues,” an official statement on his social media reads.

“For over two years, Virgil valiantly battled a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma. 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 message continues.

“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. 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. We thank you all for your love and support, and we ask for privacy as we grieve and celebrate Virgil’s life.”

Virgil was a trained architect and worked in street fashion in Chicago, first entering global fashion with an internship at Fendi in 2009 alongside Kanye West. Their artistic collaboration helped to lead Virgil‘s career to the founding of Off-White.

In 2018, upon being appointed artistic director of Louis Vuitton‘s menswear line, Rihanna was the first person to wear his design. He designed for tons of celebs over the years, including a custom Off-White gown and veil for Hailey Bieber‘s wedding day.

Our thoughts are with Virgil Abloh‘s loved ones at this very difficult time.