The world has lost another creative genius. Virgil Abloh was one of the most visionary and important people in hip-hop, and he did that without even rapping or producing. The Chicago designer, who started working with Kanye West during the early days of his career, has made his mark in the genre through some of the most iconic album cover and streetwear designs.
Unfortunately, Virgil Abloh died after a two-year battle with a rare form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma, back in November 2021. His legacy in rap music and his fashion statements will surely live on forever and can never be duplicated. As the legendary figure passed away, this is the best time to revisit some of the late fashion designer's best career achievements in the past few years.
6 Virgil Abloh Designed Several Iconic Hip-Hop Album Covers
Virgil Abloh was a gifted creative motor that bridged rap and luxury. His impact in the music is surely felt, without even having to be on the mic. Throughout his career, Abloh has designed some of the most memorable hip-hop album covers of the decade, including Kanye West's influential records 808s & Heartbreak and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Abloh is also known for designing West & Jay-Z's team-tag album Watch the Throne, which was nominated at the Grammy for Best Recording Package, A$AP Rocky's Long.Live.A$AP, Big Sean's Dark Sky Paradise, and many more.
In fact, before his career took off, young Virgil Abloh used to DJ at house parties during his college days. "When the phone is off, I play my favorite songs really loud for myself, and I’m not talking to anyone. I’m not managing anything. It’s just like a time when I can listen to music… I’ll be DJing after I’m done designing or doing anything else," he told The Guardian in 2016.
5 He Became One Of Time's 100 Most Influential People
Thanks to his achievement in fashion landmarks, Time Magazine listed Virgil Abloh as one of the world's most influential people of 2018. Takashi Murakami made the case for his fellow designer, whom he'd met previously in the late 2000s when Abloh was still an intern.
"Everything from the way he works to how he uses his time to how he makes his judgments is principled. The foundation of his value, or branding, is humanity itself, not a superficial trick," the acclaimed Japanese artist wrote. "With his appointment as artistic director for Louis Vuitton’s menswear, his full merit will be understood even more widely around the globe," he added.
4 Virgil Abloh Established A $1 Million Scholarship Fund
Throughout his lifetime, Abloh has never been shy from using his voice for the good of society. He'd been involved in many philanthropic causes and in 2020, established the Virgil Abloh "Post-Modern" Scholarship Funds to assist up-and-coming Black fashion industry leaders. As the official website states, the designer had raised over $1 million for the scholarship fund.
"I've always been passionate about giving the next generation of students the same foundation for success that was given to me," he said. "That's why I'm excited to launch this Fund in partnership with the FSF, which has an outstanding track record of helping college students achieve successful careers."
3 He Founded His High-End Streetwear Company
Virgil Abloh's ability to connect luxury with streetwear is something fresh that hadn't actually been seen, and his Off-White company is where he channeled the vision. Founded in Milan in 2012, Abloh's Off-White rose to prominence thanks to several important collaborations with the likes of Nike, IKEA, and more.
"In a large part, streetwear is seen as cheap. What my goal has been is to add an intellectual layer to it and make it credible," he said.
2 Virgil Abloh Became LV's Artistic Director
In 2018, Louis Vuitton named Virgil Abloh the artistic director of the luxury brand's menswear line, marking the company's first-ever African descent to helm the line. LMVH, the brand's parent company, acquired 60 percent stakes of Abloh's Off-White later in 2021. He debuted his first-ever collection during the 2018 Men's Fashion Week in Paris with Playboi Carti, Kid Cudi, A$AP Nast walking the runway for his debut show.
"I’m here; I want to show that I’m just a figure with many more behind him. I’ve cracked open the door. I want to show it’s open, to meet people halfway," he told his vision at LV to Vogue.
1 Virgil Launched His Own Radio Show
Before his sudden death from rare cancer, Virgil Abloh was launching his radio shows. His monthly two-hour show on Worldwide FM, Imaginary Radio, was just launched last summer. He sat down for interviews with many creative heads in the music and fashion industry, featuring DJ sets with electro artists like Omar-S and Alexander Sowinski.