As we celebrate Black History Month, Cheddar is highlighting prominent Black Americans who are carving their own historic paths and trailblazing in their industries. While Black History Month has become synonymous with reflecting on past achievements of Black Americans, it is important that we acknowledge today's historic feats as they happen.
In November 2021, the fashion world lost one of its most notable and culture-shifting designers in Virgil Abloh. He secretly battled cardiac angiosarcoma for several years before succumbing to the disease, but in the midst of his fight, he was able to continue pushing boundaries when it comes to haute couture.
The son of Ghanaian immigrants, Abloh began his rise in the public eye in 2009 after completing an internship at Fendi's fashion house in Rome. It was there he met Ye (formerly Kanye) West who would later appoint Abloh as creative director of his creative content company Donda. In 2012, his knack for all things design-related pushed him to produce his streetwear brand Pyrex Vision, which eventually morphed into his magnum opus known as Off-White.
Months ahead of Abloh's untimely death, LVMH, the parent company of several high-end fashion houses, purchased a 60 percent stake in Off-White LLC for an undisclosed amount, taking the high-end streetwear brand to a new level. It would be the next phase in a thriving relationship between Louis Vuitton and Abloh after the fashion house appointed him as the men's artistic director in 2018. He became the first Black man to head up this position in the company's history. In an interview with The New York Times, he described the deal as "the ultimate collaboration" that afforded him a seat at the table.
"This opportunity to think through what the next chapter of design and luxury will mean at a brand that represents the pinnacle of luxury was always a goal in my wildest dreams," Abloh told the Times. "And to show a younger generation that there is no one way anyone in this kind of position has to look is a fantastically modern spirit in which to start."
While he can no longer design pieces for his renowned Off-White brand or push the limits of men's fashion at Louis Vuitton, Abloh's mark on all things culture, and especially fashion, will be felt, seen, and worn for years.
