History of Virgil Abloh in Timeline
Virgil Abloh was a renowned American fashion designer and entrepreneur who significantly impacted the fashion industry. With a background in architecture, he first gained recognition for his streetwear brand, Pyrex Vision, which later evolved into the high-end fashion label Off-White. Abloh's innovative designs and collaborations with brands like Nike earned him global acclaim. In 2018, he made history as the artistic director of Louis Vuitton menswear, becoming one of the few black designers to hold such a prestigious position in a luxury fashion house. He tragically passed away in 2021, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire the fashion world.
September 30, 1980: Virgil Abloh is Born
On September 30, 1980, Virgil Abloh was born in Rockford, Illinois.
1998: Graduation from Boylan Catholic High School
Virgil Abloh completed his high school education at Boylan Catholic High School in Rockford, Illinois, graduating in 1998.
2002: B.S. in Civil Engineering
Virgil Abloh earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2002.
2006: Master of Architecture from IIT
Virgil Abloh furthered his academic pursuits by obtaining a Master of Architecture degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 2006.
2009: Marriage to Shannon Sundberg
After a decade of dating, Abloh married his high school sweetheart, Shannon Sundberg, in Chicago in 2009. They built a life together in Chicago, raising their two children.
2009: Fendi Internship, RSVP Gallery, and Donda
In 2009, Virgil Abloh interned at Fendi alongside Kanye West, leading to a collaborative relationship. They later opened RSVP Gallery in Chicago and Abloh became the creative director of West's agency, Donda.
2009: Internship at Fendi and Collaboration with Kanye West
Virgil Abloh's journey in fashion began with an internship at Fendi in 2009, where he crossed paths with Kanye West, sparking a collaborative partnership.
2010: Creative Director at Donda
In 2010, Virgil Abloh's talent led him to become the creative director of Donda, Kanye West's creative agency.
2011: Grammy Nomination for Watch the Throne
Virgil Abloh's artistic contributions extended to music in 2011 when he served as the artistic director for Jay-Z and Kanye West's collaborative album "Watch the Throne," earning him a Grammy nomination.
2011: Grammy Nomination for Watch the Throne Album Art
In 2011, Abloh received his first major award nomination for his work on the cover art of Jay-Z and Kanye West's album "Watch the Throne," which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package.
2012: Launch of Pyrex Vision
Virgil Abloh founded his first company, Pyrex Vision, in 2012, focusing on streetwear and repurposed clothing.
2012: Pyrex Vision and WZRD Album Art
In 2012, Virgil Abloh established Pyrex Vision and designed the cover art for WZRD's debut album.
2013: Off-White is Founded
Virgil Abloh established his luxury streetwear brand, Off-White, in Milan in 2013.
2013: Off-White's Debut and Design Philosophy
Virgil Abloh launched his high-end streetwear brand, Off-White, in Milan in 2013, defining it as "the gray area between black and white as the color off-white."
2014: Off-White's Expansion and Recognition
Off-White expanded its presence with a women's wear line and runway shows at Paris Fashion Week in 2014. The brand also opened its first concept store in Hong Kong.
2015: LVMH Prize Finalist
In 2015, Abloh, representing Off-White, was a finalist for the LVMH Prize, becoming the only American designer nominated that year. His notable designs, including "War is Not Over!" tees and toppers from his fall 2015 women's collection, garnered significant attention.
December 2017: Collaboration with Jenny Holzer for Planned Parenthood
In December 2017, Virgil Abloh collaborated with artist Jenny Holzer to create T-shirts supporting Planned Parenthood in response to the Women's March on Washington.
2017: Fashion Awards and Recognition
Abloh's career took off in 2017, earning him the Urban Luxe award at the British Fashion Awards and International Designer of the Year at the GQ Men of the Year awards. His Off-White Air Jordan "the Ten" collaboration was named Shoe of the Year, and he was also recognized as Accessory Designer of the Year.
January 2018: Release of Debut Single "Orvnge"
Virgil Abloh released his debut single, "Orvnge," in collaboration with German DJ/producer Boys Noize in January 2018.
March 25, 2018: Virgil Abloh is named Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton Menswear
On March 25, 2018, Virgil Abloh was appointed as the Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton's menswear line, marking a significant moment as the first person of African descent to hold this position.
June 5, 2018: Release of Rimowa Collaboration
On June 5, 2018, Virgil Abloh released a limited-edition transparent suitcase in collaboration with luggage manufacturer Rimowa.
December 2018: Time 100 Most Influential People and Ebony Power 100 Recognition
Abloh's influence reached new heights in December 2018 when he was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people, with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami praising his achievements. He was also honored as a leading innovator by Ebony Power 100.
2018: Collaborations and Exhibitions with Takashi Murakami
Throughout 2018, Virgil Abloh and Takashi Murakami collaborated on several art exhibitions at various locations, including Gagosian Gallery's outposts in London, Paris, and Beverly Hills.
2018: Start of "TELEVISED RADIO" on Apple Music 1
Virgil Abloh started his show "TELEVISED RADIO" on Apple Music 1 in 2018, releasing five episodes between 2018 and 2020.
2018: Virgil Abloh: A Global Influencer
In 2018, Virgil Abloh's influence extended beyond fashion as Time magazine recognized him as one of the 100 most influential people globally.
2018: Off-White Surpasses Gucci in Popularity
By the end of 2018, Off-White had reached the pinnacle of the fashion industry, surpassing Gucci as the hottest label globally, according to sales and consumer sentiment.
2018: Virgil Abloh Joins Louis Vuitton
Virgil Abloh made history in 2018 by becoming the artistic director of Louis Vuitton menswear, marking a significant milestone as the first African-American to hold this position at a French luxury fashion house.
March 2019: IKEA Collaboration and SSENSE Workout Collection Launch
In March 2019, Virgil Abloh collaborated with IKEA on a furniture line for millennials and launched a workout collection with SSENSE, featuring his signature design elements.
May 2019: Pioneer DJ Console Collaboration
In May 2019, Pioneer, a manufacturer of DJ consoles, announced a collaboration with Virgil Abloh on the design of transparent CDJ-2000NXS2 and DJM-900NXS2 models.
June 2019: DJ Residency at Wynn Las Vegas's XS Nightclub and Off-White Store Opening
In June 2019, Virgil Abloh secured a DJ residency at Wynn Las Vegas's XS Nightclub, with Wynn also agreeing to open an Off-White store.
December 2019: Prediction of Streetwear's Demise
In December 2019, Virgil Abloh sparked controversy by predicting the decline of streetwear in 2020.
2019: First Solo Art Exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago
In 2019, Virgil Abloh held his first solo art exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, featuring notable works like a sculpture of Kanye West's "Yeezus" cover art.
2019: MCA Speech Campaign Launch
In 2019, Virgil Abloh introduced the MCA speech campaign, which involved a Red Line train wrap for the CTA.
2019: IKEA Collaboration: Markerad Collection
Virgil Abloh partnered with IKEA to design the "Markerad" collection, featuring furniture and accessories, released in 2019.
2019: Michael Jackson-Inspired Collection and Diversity Criticism
Virgil Abloh's fall/winter 2019 collection, inspired by Michael Jackson, faced criticism coinciding with the release of the documentary "Leaving Neverland." Additionally, Abloh received criticism regarding the lack of diversity within his Off-White team.
2019: Private Cancer Diagnosis
In 2019, Abloh received a diagnosis of cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He chose to keep this health challenge private.
2019: Menswear Designer of the Year Nomination
Abloh's talent continued to earn him accolades in 2019 when he received a nomination for Menswear Designer of the Year.
March 2020: Retraction of Streetwear Prediction and Collaboration with Nigo
In March 2020, Virgil Abloh retracted his previous prediction about streetwear's demise and launched a collaboration with Japanese streetwear designer Nigo.
June 2020: Design of Pop Smoke Album Cover
In June 2020, Virgil Abloh designed the original cover art for Pop Smoke's album, "Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon," which later faced criticism and was replaced.
July 2020: Philanthropic Initiatives and Community Engagement
In July 2020, Abloh established the Virgil Abloh "Post-Modern" Scholarship Fund, raising \u00241 million to support Black students in fashion. He also launched the "I Support Young Black Businesses" campaign with Off-White, donating proceeds to Chicago CRED to combat gun violence. Abloh also completed the redesign of a Boys and Girls Club facility in Chicago with Nike, demonstrating his commitment to mentorship and community support.
2020: End of "TELEVISED RADIO" on Apple Music 1
Virgil Abloh's show "TELEVISED RADIO" on Apple Music 1 ended in 2020, after running for five episodes.
2020: George Floyd Protests and Abloh's Response
In 2020, Abloh faced criticism for his initial \u002450 donation to support protesters during the George Floyd protests, later revealing a larger total donation amount and engaging in discussions about streetwear's relevance in the context of the events.
November 28, 2021: Passing of Virgil Abloh
Virgil Abloh passed away on November 28, 2021.
December 6, 2021: Funeral and Memorial Service
Abloh's funeral took place in Chicago on December 6, 2021, attended by family, close friends, and prominent figures from the music and fashion industries, including Drake, Rihanna, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, and many others, reflecting his wide-reaching impact.
2021: Launch of "Imaginary Radio" on Worldwide FM
In 2021, Virgil Abloh launched "Imaginary Radio" c/o Virgil Abloh, a monthly two-hour internet radio show on Worldwide FM, featuring DJ sets and interviews.
2021: Figures of Speech Exhibition Travels as part of Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture
In 2021, Virgil Abloh's "Figures of Speech" exhibition traveled to various locations, including the High Museum of Art, the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, and Qatar Museums, as part of the Qatar-USA 2021 Year of Culture.
July 1, 2022: Figures of Speech Exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum
From July 1, 2022, to January 29, 2023, the Brooklyn Museum hosted Virgil Abloh's "Figures of Speech" exhibition, showcasing two decades of his work.
2022: Lil Durk's Musical Tribute
Lil Durk released the song "What Happened to Virgil" in 2022 as a tribute to Abloh's legacy and impact on the music and fashion worlds.
January 29, 2023: Conclusion of Figures of Speech Exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum
On January 29, 2023, the "Figures of Speech" exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum concluded, marking the end of its run.