Virgil Abloh, creative director of Louis Vuitton, dies at 41 from cancer | Death

American Virgil Abloh, stylist and director of men’s collection at Louis Vuitton, passed away this Sunday at the age of 41 from cancer, Vuitton’s parent company, LVMH, reported.

The first great black stylist committed to promoting African American cultures, took one of the most enviable positions in fashion and luxury goods in 2018on the flagship label of LVMH, the world’s leading luxury goods manufacturer.

“LVMH Group, Louis Vuitton and Off-White Deep saddened to announce the death of Virgil Ablohthis Sunday, November 28, he became a victim of cancer, which he had been battling for several years, ”said LVMH in a post on its Twitter account.

The son of immigrants from Ghana, he was married and had two children, Lowe and Gray Abloh.

The disease, with which he fought for two years, was not disclosed.

“He has decided to fight this battle privately since he was diagnosed in 2019 with” cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare malignant tumor located at the level of the heart, “he explained to his family on his Instagram account. designer, mentioning “a lot of complicated procedures.”

The artist of “endless curiosity” has created “paths to greater equality in art and in the world. design“Said his family, urging them to respect their privacy in order to mourn and” celebrate the life of Virgil. “

Bernard Arnault, President of LVMH, said he was “shocked”praising “a designer genius, dreamer ”and“ beautiful soul ”.

“We will miss you a lot.”

The news of his death sparked a number of emotional reactions around the world.

O designer Kim Jones of Dior Homme and Fendy (and predecessor of Virgil Abloh of Vuitton) paid tribute on Instagram to “one of the friendliest people you could meet.”

“We will miss him very much, although his vision continues to live on the path he has walked throughout his career,” reacted the Gucci house (Kering group).

“Virgil Abloh was the epitome of contemporary creativity,” said Alexander Arnault, VP of Tiffany, on Instagram.

Virgil Abloh was born on September 30, 1980 in Rockford, Illinois.

The hip-hop fan started DJing in high school and then graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in civil engineering and the Illinois Institute of Technology with a degree in architecture.

In the early 2000s, he became an art consultant in Kanye West, advising a “rapper” on the design of album covers and design of concert venues, among other things.

The king of luxury streetwear was honored in 2017 and 2018 with the prestigious Urban Luxe at the British Fashion Awards.

In 2012, its first brand was created – Pyrex Vision. A year later, Off-White was born, a luxury streetwear brand that was acquired by LVMH in July.