The Streetwear off-white's founder, DJ, Kanye West's creative director, designer of craved sneakers, king of collaborations and art exhibitor is adding another title to the list, and that is Louis Vuitton's first African-American Men's artistic designer!
On Monday morning, Louis Vuitton announced the exciting news as Michael Burke, chief executive of Louis Vuitton said, "Virgil is incredibly good at creating bridges between the classic and the zeitgeist of the moment,” The two creatives first met around 12 years ago when Abloh was interning for six months at Fendi alongside Mr. West. Virgil's first collection as Louis Vuitton's designer is expected to hit the runway during Men's fashion week in June of this year in Paris.
“This opportunity to think through what the next chapter of design and luxury will mean at a brand that represents the pinnacle of luxury was always a goal in my wildest dreams. And to show a younger generation that there is no one way anyone in this kind of position has to look is a fantastically modern spirit in which to start.” Said Virgil to New York Times.
This is indeed an opportunity of a lifetime as it will provide Abloh with a bigger and wider platform than he already has, as LV's men's wear is being sold in 150 out of the 450 LV stores worldwide and the company is already planning on increasing that by adding an extra 28 stores!
Virgil will still be the creative director of his brand, Off-white, "it is for the 17-year-old version of myself, whereas Vuitton is for the 37-year-old I am today,” he said. We can't wait to see his first collection!