Virgil Abloh the influential Louis Vuitton designer and founder of fashion label Off-White has died at the age of 41 after a private battle with cancer, the design house’s parent company LVMH has announced.
The US designer first came to prominence as rapper Kanye West’s creative director but later made history as the first African-American to lead French luxury brand Louis Vuitton.
He was diagnosed with cardiac angiosarcoma a rare, aggressive form of cancer in 2019, it has been revealed.
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 battling privately for several years.
A statement from LVMH chief executive Bernard Arnault said LVMH, Louis Vuitton and Off-White are devastated to announce the passing of Virgil Abloh.
“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,” said Arnault.
Abloh was often hailed as one of the most influential designers in the fashion industry but was also a DJ, artist and had degrees in civil engineering and architecture.
He is survived by wife Shannon, children Lowe and Grey, sister Edwina and parents Nee and Eunice.
