Everything Virgil Abloh does and creates is met with instant media buzz. The 37-year-old Chicago native, DJ, former Fendi intern, and creative director for Kanye West has just been named Louis Vuitton's new men's artistic director.
As the founder of the viral streetwear brand Off-White, Abloh has the potential to bring a refreshing new sense of spice to the historic fashion house. With previous collaborations with Supreme, it is clear Louis Vuitton is looking to stretch into the millennial market. Speaking about Abloh's internship with Fendi, Louis Vuitton CEO Michael Burke recently told the New York Times,
"Virgil could create a metaphor and a new vocabulary to describe something as old as Fendi. I have been following his career ever since."
Virgil Abloh's work for Off-White conveys not just an understanding of trends, but shows his knowledge of design and creativity, while still embracing minimalism.
Some argue that Abloh is too much streetwear and not enough luxury for the mogul fashion house that is Louis Vuitton, but what Abloh shows us through his work for Off-White is his ability to turn simple pieces and ideas into luxury.
"Virgil is incredibly good at creating bridges between the classic and the zeitgeist of the moment", Burke tells The Times.
This is exactly the refreshing take that Louis Vuitton needs to rejuvenate itself.
Abloh has noticed the trend and movement toward streetwear fashion and has turned it into something that can appeal to all different kinds of taste. Mr. Abloh knows how to comunicate with his market, he could be the man to bring Louis Vuitton menswear into the millennial generation.
The Louis Vuitton brand is one of fashion's oldest houses with centuries of history. Holding on to tradition alone can not help any European fashion house survive in the modern age. Just as Dior did with Raf Simmons, Louis Vuitton is following the movement bringing tradition into contemporary styles and ideas.
Virgil Abloh will become Louis Vuitton's first African American artistic director. He has the ability to bring Louis Vuitton menswear under a new light that is cultural and relevant. In a phone interview with The New York Times, Abloh says,
"I want to use Louis Vuitton's history with travel to really look at different cultures around the world to help make all our humanity visible. When creativity melds together with global issues, I believe you can bring the world together. Fashion on this level can really open eyes."
Cheers to you, Virgil. We are all excited for what is to come.
