Fashion Awards Pay Tribute To Late Designer, Virgil Abloh
Designers and celebrities paid tribute to Virgil Abloh at the Fashion Awards in London on Monday; a fundraiser for British Fashion Council charities where the late Louis Vuitton and Off-White creative force was honoured as a leader of change within the industry.
Fashion’s highest-profile Black designer, Virgil Abloh, died on sunday at age 41, following a two-year battle with a rare form of cancer.
Abloh also worked as a DJ and visual artist, he was also the menswear artistic director at luxury label Louis Vuitton since March 2018.
Designer and television personality, Tan France called Abloh “incredible and a visionary … (who) has done the most beautiful work.”
Other notable designers like Tom Hilfiger said on the red carpet. “Genius, disruptor…he will be missed tremendously by all.” The veteran designer also added, “He inspired designers as well as the public.”
Abloh, who founded the famous label Off-White, was known for mixing streetwear with high-end suits and gowns while at Vuitton. His influences included graffiti art and hip hop.
Abloh’s photo was projected on stage at the awards, the designer was among 15 individuals and brands named leaders of change for their actions in the past year helping the environment, people and creativity.
Other individuals on the list includes Gucci’s creative director, Alessandro Michele who won the trailblazer award, and Hilfiger who received the outstanding achievement award.
Gabrielle Union was among the celebrity guests attending the event, she stated “Everyone here is going to be talking about Virgil, everyone here has been impacted by his brilliance,”
Reuters/Joy Onu
