Virgil Abloh – Louis Vuitton’s artistic director and Off-White founder, dies at 41 after battling ‘rare’ cancer for two years
Virgil Abloh, the first and only Black artistic director of global fashion brand Louis Vuitton and founder of streetwear brand Off-White, died on Sunday, November 28, 2021, at 41.
Abloh was a prolific fashion designer, artist, architect who styled stars like Kanye West and Kid Cudi.
A post on his Instagram page on Sunday evening announcing his death said he valiantly battled a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma for over 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 statement reads.
According to John Hopkins Medicine, cardiac sarcoma is a rare type of primary malignant (cancerous) tumour that occurs in the heart.
A tweet by LVMH, the parent company of Louis Vuitton where Abloh served as the men’s artistic director from 2018 until his death, said, “LVMH, Louis Vuitton and Off White are devastated to announce the passing of Virgil Abloh”.
Born outside of Chicago in Rockford, Illinois (U.S.A.) in 1980, Abloh earned a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and obtained a master’s degree in Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
“It was there where Abloh was introduced to a curriculum established by Mies van der Rohe, formed from the notions of Bauhaus, that taught him to combine the fields of art, craft and design,” his profile reads.
These theories, merged with contemporary culture, makeup Abloh’s inter-disciplinary practice today.
The statement on his page said 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,'” the statement reads.
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.
