The tragic news was recently brought to light that highly respected entrepreneur, fashion designer, and style visionary Virgil Abloh has passed away from cancer this past Sunday, November 28, 2021. The 41-year-old inspiration was reportedly having a silent back-and-forth struggle with a rare form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma, for over two years before it, unfortunately, took his plentiful life. The official announcement of Virgil’s passing was posted onto his Instagram account the day of his death stating, “For over two years, Virgil valiantly battled a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma. 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.”
His team went on to add in their statement, “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.” Virgil started really making a name for himself back in 2013 when he initially launched his popular designer clothing line, Off-White, which now has an estimated net worth of approximately $20 million USD as of this year. The Italy-born fashion icon would then take his career to new heights in 2018 when he officially partnered with Louis Vuitton to lead its menswear collection, playing one of the most crucial roles in the highly respected fashion industry.
Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy chief executive Bernard Arnault released a short statement on behalf of the devastating news that said, “We are all shocked by this terrible news. Virgil was not only a genius designer and a visionary, but he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom.” Virgil Abloh was the loving husband to Shannon Abloh and an outstanding father to their two children Lowe and Grey Abloh. There is no doubt he will forever be remembered in the hearts of everyone by the stories that will be told and the transparent legacy that he has left behind.