The fashion world woke up this morning to the news that Louis Vuitton tapped Virgil Abloh as its newest artistic director of menswear. This is huge. Since the announcement that Kim Jones – who previously held the role – was moving on, fashion insiders formed the notion that Abloh was the man to replace the celebrated designer (who now helms menswear at Dior). While back then the notion was a rumour, this morning it was confirmed; the famed DJ, who is also the founder of streetwear label, Off-White and Kanye West’s longtime creative partner will lead Louis Vuitton’s men’s fashion offering.
Virgil is the first black designer to take such a role at Louis Vuitton. As for his thoughts on diversity in fashion and race, the designer has been reserved but in an interview with the New York Times after his appointment, he stated that his appointment would “show a younger generation that there is no one way anyone in this kind of position has to look”. In the same interview, Virgil went on to hint at what can be expected, “I want to use Louis Vuitton’s history with travel to really look at different cultures around the world to help make all our humanity visible. When creativity melds together with global issues, I believe you can bring the world together. Fashion on this level can really open eyes.”
Louis Vuitton Chairman and CEO Michael Burke praised Abloh’s “innate creativity and disruptive approach [which] have made him so relevant, not just in the world of fashion but in popular culture today.” Virgil will show his first collection for the house this June.
Here a are few facts you should know about Virgil Abloh:
Virgil Abloh is 37 years old.
He is Ghanian-American and was raised in Chicago, Illinois.
He studied engineering and architecture.
He is Kanye West’s longtime creative director.
He is a serial collaborator.
Virgil worked with Michael Burke in 2006 while interning at Fendi with Kaney West.
He began Off White in 2013, focused on menswear and launched the brand’s womenswear collection two years later.
