Louis Vuitton’s first black artistic director, Virgil Abloh, has died at the age of 41 after years of battling rare cancer.
According to reports, he was secretly battling cardiac angiosarcoma after he was diagnosed with the condition in 2019.
Louis Vuitton executive director Bernault Arnault said in a heartbreaking statement: “We are all shocked by this terrible news, Virgil was not only a genius designer, a visionary, he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom.”
“The LVMH family joins me in this moment of great sorrow and we are all thinking of his loved ones after the passing of their husband, their brother, their father or their friend,” the statement added.
Abloh’s popular designs were supported by the biggest names in the fashion industry, including sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Kim Kardashian, and Kanye West.
Italian fashion designer Donatella Versace also paid tribute to Abhloh in an Instagram post, saying: “Virgil, I am lost for words.”
“The world has lost a fashion superstar. An innovator. A creator for the history books. I am thinking of all your loved ones on this tragic day,” her post added.
Fans and celebrities expressed their shock and offered condolences.
Giorgio Armani said he was saddened to hear of the tragic news. “I followed his career with great interest, his new approach to fashion and communication, with a strong sense of inclusivity,” he wrote on Twitter. “’My thoughts are with his young family.”
Gucci described Abloh as ‘an immense inspiration to us all both as a designer and as a person.’
“He will be deeply missed though his vision will live on through the trails that he blazed throughout his career,” he wrote on Twitter.
A statement shared on Abloh’s Instagram page described him as “a fiercely devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend.”
“For over two years, Virgil valiantly battled a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma,” the statement said.
“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,” it continued.
“Through it all, his work ethic, infinite curiosity, and optimism never wavered. 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.”
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments section and SHARE this story with your friends and family!
Recommended Video For You!
“Coffee Shop Musician Sings Surprise Duet With Famous Singer Without Knowing It”