One year ago today, the world that exists at the intersection of music and fashion was devastated by the passing of renowned designer, DJ and Off-White founder Virgil Abloh.
Abloh, who served as men's artistic director for Louis Vuitton from 2018 to 2021, was 41.
According to an Instagram post published by his family, Abloh had privately been battling a rare form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma, since 2019.
Abloh's final Louis Vuitton collection was displayed on November 30, 2021, in Miami during a stunning production fittingly titled, "Virgil Was Here." The show, part of Art Basel Miami, was highlighted by a group of flying drones, fitted with red lights and organized to spell out the same message.
This month, it was announced that Art Basel Miami 2022 will play host to another tribute to the late designer: the inaugural Mirror Mirror Music Festival, reportedly to be headlined by rapper and former Abloh collaborator, Travis Scott.
While numerous other tributes have arisen over the past 12 months—most notably Drake's recent album "Honestly, Nevermind" which included a note of dedication to Abloh on Apple Music—there has been some controversy concerning Abloh's relationship with Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West.
Despite multiple efforts to memorialize the decades-long, collaborative connection between he and Abloh, Ye's sincerity was called into question by Supreme Creative Director Tremaine Emory, who took issue with unfounded allegations that Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton CEO Bernard Arnault had played a part in "killing [Ye's] best friend."
"I gotta draw the line at you using Virgil's death in your 'ye' is the victim campaign in front your sycophant peanut algorithm gallery," Emory wrote in an Instagram post. "You knew Virgil had terminal cancer and you rode on him in group chats, at yeezy, interviews, songs, etc.
"KEEP VIRGIL NAME OUT YOUR MOUTH," Emory advised.
On the year anniversary of Abloh's passing, Ye seems to have heeded Emory's advice.
For those with less-contentious connections, however, today has been a day of remembrance, as well as a day of celebration for Abloh.
"one year ago today, virgil abloh passed away after privately battling cancer," popular Twitter account @aplasticplant tweeted. "this man really inspired me and countless others over the years, and really showed us that anything is possible."
"virgil abloh was a genius and completely transformed in my eyes how I see menswear and everyday clothes in general he was a true talent and I really really miss him," @muglare echoed.
"I think if there's one thing we can all learn from the late Virgil Abloh, it's that rising high can go together with reaching hands," @jacquemusx chimed in. "Excelling doesn't have to happen at the expense of others, instead you can take them with you and open doors for them along the way."
Andrew Barber, founder of FakeShoreDrive, a pivotal rap blog dedicated to Abloh's hometown Chicago, posted a photo of Abloh at a turntable with a simple message.
"Virgil Abloh Forever," Barber wrote.
Bobby Hundreds, founder of The Hundreds, also offered a nod to Abloh.
"Virgil was here." Hundreds tweeted.
Popular DJ and record executive Zack Bia posted a handful of photos of him and Abloh on his Instagram story, one including a three-way FaceTime call with the aforementioned Drake.
Model and actor Luka Sabbat, with whom Abloh had collaborated since the launch of his Pyrex Vision label in 2013, also took to Instagram with a tribute to his late friend.
"I miss you everyday," Sabbat wrote. "Everything I've learned from you has helped me become a better version of myself and I will forever try to make you proud.
"The imprint you left in the culture in this world will forever be here," he continued. "Thank you for everything."
Newsweek has reached out to Vuitton for comment.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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