Virgil Abloh, who most-recently served as men’s artistic director of Louis Vuitton, died Sunday (Nov. 28) after a private battle with cancer. He was 41.
A post on Abloh’s verified Instagram account announced his death, explaining that he battled a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma 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 post continued.
“Through it all, his work ethic, infinite curiosity, and optimism never wavered,” the Instagram caption read. “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 who founded the haute street wear label Off-White and served as Kanye West’s longtime creative director ascended to the prestigious role at Louis Vuitton in 2018, becoming the label’s first Black artistic director and one of the few Black designers atop a storied French design house.
Abloh also collaborated with Kid Cudi on the Kurt Cobain-inspired floral print dress worn by the rapper during his appearance on Saturday Night Live earlier this year.
In a statement, Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy CEO Bernard Arnault said, “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, his children Lowe and Grey, his sister Edwina and his parents Nee and Eunice.
Read the full post about Abloh’s passing below.
This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.
