Virgil Abloh, designer and curator at Virgil Abloh Inc., died on Aug. 29. According to a close friend, music world figures are mourning a “genius” — who inspired a generation of up-and-coming designers — and a “visionary.” He was 44.
Abloh was expected to be working at Virgil Abloh Inc.’s New York headquarters late Monday evening, but he did not show up, instead passing out copies of his new book.
Abloh founded the clothes and accessories company Interscope Clothing in 2010, and quickly left to be the creative director at Off-White, Kanye West’s fashion label. In an interview on his Interscope website, Abloh said the ambitions he first had for the company came true when he was “given this incredible opportunity” and “managed to accomplish those aspirations in a way nobody saw coming.”
For Abloh, it’s his time designing the design work at Off-White that he said has had the most impact, and also a powerful level of influence on music from Kanye West and other contemporary artists. Abloh said that Off-White’s clothes have taken on a “pure aesthetic and world that is reflective of and taps into the world of hip-hop and alternative music.”
The “massive collective impact that Off-White has had on the art world, the music industry, and other cultural areas of influence is immeasurable,” he said.
Abloh said that one of his most cherished moments was when he and West discussed ideas for the Album Art for Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music Presents Cruel Summer. “Our conversations began as men considering the intersections of creativity, music, and fashion,” he said. “By the end of the conversation, as I was preparing a few variations of the design, he wanted to show me the final visual and he brought me to tears.”
Here are some reactions from some in the music industry and fashion industry.
Kanye West tells the world a brief story of how he first encountered Virgil Abloh. “he was too young for me to even fathom him as a designer but he influenced and helped me as a creative.” pic.twitter.com/Gz22KVW1jV — Artume Siriano (@artume_siriano) August 31, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with all the friends, family and fans of Virgil Abloh. Creative force, collaborator, friend. “Shoes.” A post shared by Nicki Minaj (@nickiminaj) on Aug 31, 2017 at 5:56pm PDT
The loss of an amazing person and talent. We lost a genius. RIP Virgil Abloh. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/SNdsgaCmOb — ELLE Magazine (US) (@ELLEmagazine) August 31, 2017
RIP Virgil Abloh. A beautiful spirit. A fantastic designer. A provocative thinker. A cool, creative dude. Such a pleasure knowing you. https://t.co/HrUw7NuFou — Phillip Picardi (@PHocory) August 31, 2017
If you haven’t already seen, @VirgilAbloh is Dead. For the rest of us, get over it. Now send my condolences to his family — DKNY (@DKNY) August 31, 2017