Virgil Abloh is Superb
Yesterday, fashion had to say goodbye to one of the most revolutionary figures of recent years, one who marked a turning point in the industry: Virgil Abloh. Known for many as the founder of Off-White, Abloh actually contributed much more than a bold and groundbreaking brand; he inspired new generations while, at the same time, demonstrating that new horizons are possible in the luxury industry.
"Everything I do is for the 17-year-old version of myself" was his motto and the inspiration that has led him to be who he is today. Although his world has nothing to do with that of Superb, at least at first glance, Abloh was an inspiration to us too, since he wasn't afraid to break the rules; he did what he felt at each moment, and that was precisely what led him to success. He was the voice of a new generation of creatives who landed in recent years at the great Parisian fashion houses with the aim of rejuvenating them and, above all, he was the creative who brought street style to the mecca of luxury. Something that seemed totally impossible, until Abloh came along. Virgil Abloh preferred to consider himself a creator rather than a designer; he was the first African-American to reach the top of French luxury, the first to hold a position without having the classic background of studying at a renowned school... and he was the one who made the world understand that at brands, designers no longer mattered, but creative directors.
And that's not all. Abloh is a source of inspiration for the #SuperbTeam for his cultural and aesthetic influence and for understanding the language of new generations, appealing to inclusivity, digital, irony, and, above all, because he sometimes didn't take the sector too seriously. The best part? His way of fusing different aesthetics and making them desirable: tracksuits and sneakers hit the catwalk with Virgil, he shaped a new generation of sneaker lovers , urban fashion became aspirational, he even dared to enter the bridal world by designing Hailey Bieber's wedding dress, which, of course, went viral as soon as it was released... and, in this way, the new elegance had just begun.
His way of understanding fashion and the world in general changed the rules, revolutionizing the fashion industry and also the luxury industry. He created something new, something different, far removed from rules and stereotypes, and his creativity permeated everything he did.
For those who don't know, Abloh attended Catholic school, studied Civil Engineering in Wisconsin, and, while pursuing a Master's in Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology, he met producer and rapper Kanye West, who would become his business godfather. And it was at this very moment that everything Abloh has left us was about to begin. In 2009, he made the leap into fashion by founding his own art gallery and fashion store in Chicago, RSVP Gallery. That same year, and now working with Kanye West, he signed with the rapper's creative agency as creative director. His first experience in the fashion industry was at Fendi; in 2012, he created his own clothing brand, Pyrex Vision, where he printed old Champion and Ralph Lauren T-shirts. Yes, that's right. A year later, Virgil Abloh closed Pyrex and founded Off-White.
