“He is survived by his loving wife Shannon Abloh, his children Lowe Abloh and Grey Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh, his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh, and numerous dear friends and colleagues.
“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.
“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 family concluded: “We thank you all for your love and support, and we ask for privacy as we grieve and celebrate Virgil’s life.”
The designer famously made history when he took over for Kim Jones at Louis Vuitton in 2018, as the first African-American to helm a luxury French fashion house.
Virgil trained as an architect and went on to become a pioneer of game-changing street fashion with Off-White, which he founded in 2012, while he often astounded with his collections for Louis Vuitton.
