VIRGIL ABLOH

Virgil Abloh, one of this generation's most trailblazing figures in fashion and pop culture, died on Sunday after a long and private battle with cancer. Abloh, the creator of beloved streetwear-meets-luxury brand Off-White as well as the first Black artistic director of Louis Vuitton menswear, had a long and successful career in fashion. He was an icon for young Black creatives who felt they didn’t belong in the fashion, music and entertainment industries and his impact has been massive. The loss of Virgil is incredibly heavy, and feels especially deep considering the wide and deep collective losses we have all been living with these past couple of years. Still, I have been incredibly inspired by the outpouring of love in celebration for his life. On Wednesday, Louis Vuitton honored Virgil with his final show, as he wished. The star-studded crowd featured the West family, Pharrell, and Michael Burke, who shared a few words in honor of his dear friend, reminding us all that “Virgil was not looking for the limelight, but the limelight found him.” 

—Eden Bekele, Digital Associate