When Virgil Abloo suddenly Died In 2021, he started from a rare cancer at 41 years old and occupied a unique position in the industry. As Creative Director Louis Vuitton manhe is one of the most obvious and influential jobs in fashion. He is widely celebrated for breaking barriers and his absolutely egalitarian approach, but his unlikely path to the upper level means the resistance he encounters often when he encounters business.
It is this combination of factors that led to Pulitzer Prize critic Robin Givhan Washington Postwrite a book focused on his profession. “I’m sure you read some of my criticisms about Virgil when he designed women’s clothing for Virgil. off white– I’m very important, and you know, sometimes I just think his work makes sense in a broader fashion context,” she told Nicole Phelps and Fashion. “But his customers felt that I thought it was different from other designers and clients. After his death, I thought it would be interesting to explore what I saw as a critic, just responding to clothes and how the entire community of others responded to clothes and the fact that he made.”
Listen to this episode to learn more about Givhan’s belief that Abloh’s achievements and impact on fashion.
