R.I.P. Virgil Abloh, fashion designer and Off-White founder

Vigil Abloh—fashion designer, artistic director of Louis Vuitton Men’s, and founder of Off-White—has died from a rare form of cancer called cardiac angiosarcoma. The news was confirmed by his family via a statement posted to his official Instagram account. He was 41.

According to the post, Abloh was diagnosed with cardiac angiosarcoma back in 2019, but he decided not to make that information public. “He chose to endure his battle privately since his diagnosis in 2019, undergoing numerous challenging treatments, all while helming several significant institutions that span fashion, art, and culture,” the statement read.

“Through it all, his work ethic, infinite curiosity, and optimism never wavered,” the statement continued. “Virgil was driven by his dedication to his craft and to his mission to open doors for others and create pathways for greater equality in art and design. He often said, ‘Everything I do is for the 17-year-old version of myself,’ believing deeply in the power of art to inspire future generations.”

Abloh was born on September 30, 1980 in Rockford, Illinois to Ghanian immigrant parents. His mother was a seamstress (who taught Abloh how to sew) and his father worked for a paint company. Abloh graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received a degree in civil engineering. He also attended the Illinois Institute of Technology where he received his Master of Architecture. It was during his time at the Institute of Technology that he began designing tee shirts and writing for a fashion blog called The Brilliance.