The fashion visionary who became Louis Vuitton's first black artistic director and founded Off-White has passed away at the age of 41 following a secret battle with cancer.
- November 29, 2021
AceShowbiz - Louis Vuitton's former artistic director, Virgil Abloh, has lost his secret battle with cancer.
The 41 year old passed away on Sunday (28Nov21).
A post on his Instagram page confirmed the sad news, explaining he had been battling 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 statement reads.
"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."
Abloh founded streetwear label Off-White and served as Kanye West's longtime creative director before becoming Louis Vuitton's first black artistic director.
Paying tribute to the fashion visionary in a statement, Bernard Arnault, the CEO of Louis Vuitton's parent company LVMH, wrote, "We are all shocked by this terrible news. Virgil was not only a genius designer and 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 on the passing of their husband, father, brother, son and friend."
Abloh is survived by his wife, Shannon, and their children, Lowe and Grey, as well as his sister, Edwina, and their parents, Nee and Eunice.
