Virgil Abloh, the famed fashion designer behind Kanye West and founder of the extravagant brand named Off-White has just been appointed as Louis Vuitton’s artistic director, making him the first African-American to hold the title at LV.
“Virgil is one of the few designers who truly marries street culture with high fashion – and the first black designer to be given such a position in the gilded halls of LVMH,” “His appointment is a step in the right direction for diversity, as well as a particularly exciting creative moment for the industry.” Cosigned editor of Vogue UK, Edward Enninful as told to Vogue.
“I feel elated,” Abloh told NY Times over the phone. “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. 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.”
Abloh will be moving his family to Paris to hold the stakes under the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy luxury conglomerate while simultaneously working on his own label. Kim Jones will be vacating the post at LVMH to make way for Abloh in January.
Abloh’s takeover as the artistic director of LV shows the merging of high-fashion with urban style – a look that resonates with many mainstream artists and purveyors of glam. Global sales of luxury personal goods have increased by five percent which translates into $325 billion according to consulting firm Bain & Company.
Virgil Abloh is Ghanaian-American born in Rockford, Illinois. Also a Grammy-nominated DJ and fashion designer, he is responsible for the artwork featured in Jay Z and Kanye West ‘s 2011 Album “Watch the Throne.” He formed his high-end streetwear line, Off-White in 2013. Abloh was recently nominated for two 2018 CFDA Fashion Awards – Womenswear Designer of the Year and Menswear Designer of the Year.
