Virgil Abloh is a name that has taken the fashion industry by storm. The American designer, DJ, and entrepreneur has made waves with his unique blend of streetwear and luxury fashion.
His appointment as the artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection in 2018 was a major milestone in his career. But when did Virgil go to Louis Vuitton? Let’s take a closer look.
The Early Years
Virgil Abloh was born in Rockford, Illinois, in 1980. He studied civil engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before completing a master’s degree in architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology. It was during his time at university that he developed an interest in fashion, particularly streetwear.
Pyrex Vision and Off-White
In 2012, Virgil founded Pyrex Vision, a streetwear brand that gained popularity for its use of bold graphics and re-appropriated sportswear. However, it was his next venture that really put him on the map.
In 2013, Virgil launched Off-White, a luxury streetwear brand that bridged the gap between high fashion and street culture. The brand gained a cult following thanks to its distinctive diagonal stripes and quotation mark branding.
Louis Vuitton
In March 2018, Louis Vuitton announced that Virgil Abloh would be taking over as artistic director of its menswear collection. This was a significant move for both parties – Louis Vuitton was looking to tap into the growing trend of streetwear-inspired luxury fashion, while Virgil saw it as an opportunity to bring diversity and fresh ideas to one of the biggest names in fashion.
The First Collection
Virgil’s debut collection for Louis Vuitton was shown at Paris Fashion Week in June 2018. The collection featured a range of streetwear-inspired pieces, including hoodies, oversized coats, and sneakers, all with the signature Louis Vuitton monogram. It was a bold move for the luxury fashion house, but it paid off – the collection was met with critical acclaim and generated significant buzz in the industry.
The Impact
Virgil’s appointment as artistic director of Louis Vuitton menswear was a significant moment not just for him, but for the fashion industry as a whole. It marked a shift towards more diverse voices in fashion and showed that streetwear could have a place in luxury fashion.
Since joining Louis Vuitton, Virgil has continued to push boundaries and challenge traditional ideas about what luxury fashion should look like. His collections have been a hit with both critics and consumers, cementing his status as one of the most influential designers of his generation.
- Virgil Abloh is an American designer known for his unique blend of streetwear and luxury fashion.
- He founded Pyrex Vision in 2012 before launching Off-White in 2013.
- In March 2018, he was announced as the new artistic director of Louis Vuitton menswear.
- His debut collection for Louis Vuitton was shown at Paris Fashion Week in June 2018.
Conclusion
Virgil Abloh’s journey from civil engineering student to artistic director of Louis Vuitton menswear is nothing short of remarkable. His unique vision has disrupted traditional ideas about what luxury fashion should look like and opened up new avenues for creativity and expression. We can’t wait to see what he does next.