Designer Virgil Abloh dies of cancer at 41

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Nov 28, 2021

Designer Virgil Abloh died on Sunday, Nov. 28, of cancer after privately battling the disease for several years.

 
He was 41.
 
Abloh was one of the most influential designers in fashion, as menswear creative director of Louis Vuitton, and founder of the luxury sportswear label Off-White.
 
“LVMH, Louis Vuitton and Off-White are devastated to announce the passing of Virgil Abloh, on Sunday, November 28th, of cancer, which he had been privately battling for several years,” LVMH said in a release.
 
While its chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault commented: “We are all shocked after this terrible news. Virgil was not only a genius designer, 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 after the passing of their husband, their father, their brother or their friend.”
 
Born in Rockford, Illinois in 1980, Abloh, an architect by training, first emerged by working with Kanye West on the musician’s fashion label. By 2013 he had founded the high end streetwear label Off-White, which enjoyed meteoric success.
 
He was a truly path-breaking designer, igniting a huge fashion trend of luxury street chic. He was also the first person of color to helm a major league luxury label, when he was chosen as menswear designer of Vuitton in March 2018.
 
He is survived by his wife Shannon Abloh and two their children Lowe and Grey; his parents Nee and Eunice.
 
The family released the following statement.
 
“We are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved Virgil Abloh, a fiercely devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his loving wife Shannon Abloh, his children Lowe Abloh and Grey Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh, his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh, and numerous dear friends and colleagues.⁠
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For over two years, Virgil valiantly battled a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma. 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.⁠
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We thank you all for your love and support, and we ask for privacy as we grieve and celebrate Virgil’s life.”