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Virgil Abloh, the founder and creative director for the Off-White fashion label and Louis Vuitton, has died from cancer, it has been announced.
The 41-year-old, fashion designer was diagnosed with cardiac angiosarcoma – a rare, aggressive form of cancer – in 2019, but did not make the diagnosis public, according to an announcement on his official Instagram page.
The statement on his Instagram page on Sunday, November 28th, described him as a “fiercely devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend”.
“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,” the statement read.
“Through it all, his work ethic, infinite curiosity, and optimism never wavered. Virgil was driven by his dedication to his craft and to his mission to open doors for others and create pathways for greater equality in art and design. He often said, ‘Everything I do is for the 17-year-old version of myself,’ believing deeply in the power of art to inspire future generations.”
The US designer came to prominence as Kanye West’s creative director but later made history as the first American of African descent to lead Louis Vuitton.
Virgil is survived by his wife, Shannon, and their two children, Lowe and Grey Abloh.
Abloh was often hailed as one of the most influential designers in the fashion industry but was also a DJ and an artist, and had degrees in civil engineering and architecture.