Off-Whites Virgil Abloh Heads Up Louis Vuitton Menswear

Diana Bell-Heather   |   26-03-2018

 

Virgil Abloh has been appointed as the new artistic director of menswear at Louis Vuitton.

 

Abloh has become the fashion world’s darling following his winning collections for Off-White, and now he is taking charge of one of the most iconic fashion houses in the world following the departure of Kim Jones. In a statement Abloh said:

 

“It is an honor for me to accept the position of Men’s Artistic Director for Louis Vuitton. I find the heritage and creative integrity of the House are key inspirations and will look to reference them both while drawing parallels to modern times.”

 

Born in Rockford, Illinois in 1980, Virgil Abloh is an artist, architect, engineer, creative director, and designer. After earning a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin Madison, he completed a Master´s Degree in Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology in a curriculum founded by Mies van der Rohe. It was here that he learned not only about modernist design principles but also about the concept of multi-disciplinary working. Virgil Abloh’s brand Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh™️ was started in 2012 as an artwork titled “PYREX VISION.” In 2013, the brand premiered a seasonal men’s and women’s fashion label showing runway collections during Paris Fashion Week since 2015.

 

His edgy approach to design and elevated vision of modern streetwear makes him an ideal fit for the LVMH-owned brand that has previously been under the creative eye of Jones who has now moved on to Christian Dior Homme, replacing Kris van Assche. Michael Burke, Louis Vuitton’s Chairman & CEO said:

 

“Having followed with great interest Virgil’s ascent since he worked with me at Fendi in 2006, I am thrilled to see how his innate creativity and disruptive approach have made him so relevant, not just in the world of fashion but in popular culture today. His sensibility towards luxury and savoir-faire will be instrumental in taking Louis Vuitton’s menswear into the future.”

 

Abloh’s first show will take place in June during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris.

 

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