Virgil Abloh

Virgil Abloh was born on September 30, 1980, in Rockford, Illinois.

Virgil Abloh, born to Ghanaian immigrant parents in Rockford, Illinois, learned sewing from his mother and developed an interest in fashion during his studies in architecture, inspired by architects like Rem Koolhaas and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. He crossed paths with Kanye West while working on designs in Chicago and went on to make significant contributions to the fashion industry.

Virgil Abloh rose to prominence between 2009 and 2013 through various collaborations and ventures. After interning at Fendi alongside rapper Kanye West, Abloh caught the attention of Louis Vuitton CEO Michael Burke. He co-launched the retail store RSVP Gallery in Chicago with Don C, and West appointed him as the creative director of his agency, Donda. Abloh's career continued to thrive with his founding of Off-White, a high-end streetwear brand, in 2013. The brand gained recognition for its distinctive design elements such as quotation marks, zip-ties, and capital letters. Abloh's collaborations included partnerships with Nike, IKEA, and Jenny Holzer, among others. In 2018, he made history as the first person of African descent to become artistic director of Louis Vuitton's menswear ready-to-wear line. Abloh's influence extended beyond fashion into art and music, with notable exhibitions, DJ performances, and album cover designs. In 2021, he launched the radio show "Imaginary Radio" and had a previous show called "TELEVISED RADIO." The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) also published a book titled "You Can Do It Too": Songs for, by, and with Virgil Abloh.

Virgil Abloh has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including Grammy and fashion awards, being recognized for his innovative designs and influential impact. He was listed among Time magazine's 100 most influential people in 2018 and received honors from Ebony Power 100.

In 2020, Virgil Abloh established a scholarship fund and fundraising program to support Black students and businesses, while also dedicating time to mentor and provide resources to young individuals.

Virgil Abloh, the designer behind Off-White, has faced accusations of plagiarism and appropriation due to his philosophy of making minor changes to existing designs. He has also been criticized for lack of cultural diversity in his team and for controversial statements during the George Floyd protests.

Virgil Abloh married his high school sweetheart, Shannon Sundberg, after a decade of dating, and they had two children together. Tragically, Abloh passed away at the age of 41 in 2021 due to cardiac angiosarcoma, a type of cancer, prompting tributes and memorial services attended by numerous celebrities and close friends.