10 Things We Can Learn From Virgil Abloh’s Legacy

Designer, director, architect, entrepreneur, DJ, father, brother, son, husband, and visionary. These are just a few of the many hats that the late Virgil Abloh wore during his 41 years of life.

Most recognized for his roles as the CEO of Off-White and artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear, Virgil Abloh took the fashion world by storm. He broke boundaries across industries and played an integral role in shaping culture as we know it today.

Although it’s only been about a year since Virgil left us, his legacy has already been immortalized through the contributions that he made during his time on earth.

His passing had what seemed like the entire world mourning unanimously in his absence, and those who knew him personally took to social media to voice their memories.

“VIRGIL ABLOH” (HYPEBEAST interview 2018)

To honor and celebrate the life of Abloh as we pass the one year anniversary of his death, we’ve compiled a few of the most poignant remarks that were shared in his memory.

1. Use your voice to speak up for those that are silenced.

“You spent so much time helping others, making sure everyone was good…Thank you for breaking boundaries and pushing the conversation forward.”

-Luka Sabbat, Model

Virgil worked hard to create a space for his culture, not just his success.

Whether it be his “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund which allocated over a million dollars towards education for Black students or the “I support young black businesses” t-shirt that made its debut at Off-White’s January 2020 runway show in Paris, he never stopped speaking up for marginalized communities.

Luke Sabbat recounts Virgil’s strong sense of advocacy and radical inclusion that was reflected in everything he did. If you haven’t already, check out Virgil’s “Free Game” that teaches young entrepreneurs how to build a business from the ground up, based on his personal experiences.

2. Don’t let the circumstances break your momentum.

“It was so brave how he continued his life work through the absolute most difficult of circumstances.”

-Venus Williams, Tennis Player

As the son of Ghanian migrants, Virgil jumped through hoops to establish himself as the first African American to oversee Louis Vuitton’s menswear line. In fact, he had plans to show his Louis Vuitton SS 2022 menswear collection at Art Basel in Miami just days after he took his last breath.

Although he wasn’t there to attend (physically), the production team honored his legacy with the “Virgil Was Here” show in its place. The fact that Virgil never took a single step back from pursuing his dreams, even in his final hours, shows his deep commitment to his craft. Venus Williams was just as shocked as the rest of the world to discover Virgil’s tragic battle with cancer, because he forbade his health struggles from interfering with his work ethic and to be honest, we wouldn’t expect anything less.

3. Your actions speak loud, but your energy speaks louder.

“His kindness and energetic generosity left a lasting impression on every life he touched — he made everyone feel seen and special.”

-Gigi Hadid, Model

Virgil wasn’t in it for the fame or the money; everything he did was driven by passion.

Growing up in small town Illinois, Virgil wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He acquired the sewing skills of his mother and skipped graduation to meet with John Monopoly, Kanye West’s previous manager.

His life was a series of calculated risks, and he didn’t take a single one of his victories for granted. It’s for these reasons that Virgil embodied such humility, and there was a softness in his voice and sparkle in his smile that reflected it. Even those who didn’t know Virgil personally could feel this energy that Gigi speaks of.

4. To get ahead, you have to get started.

“11 years ago he cold called my studio and asked me to come meet with him about some projects. This was before Pyrex, Been Trill, Off-White, and all the other revolutionary projects he embarked on. He was always ready for a text message conversation about chair design or architecture.”

-Daniel Arsham, Artist/Designer

Taking the first step is arguably the hardest part of the creative process, and Virgil seemingly mastered this far before he made a name for himself, according to Daniel Arsham.

Virgil was working on Virgil far before anyone was aware of his capabilities as a designer, and this instinct to not just create, but partake, is what empowered him to refine his skillset and grow his diverse portfolio. Since his Pyrex, Been Trill, and Off-White ventures, Virgil has collaborated with what seems like hundreds of thousands of brands under the umbrellas of furniture, music, fashion, and everything in between.

His tactical way of thinking is reflected in all of his work, and he undoubtedly left his mark on everything that he touched.

5. Break your own boundaries — or better yet, don’t set them in the first place.

“Virgil completely changed the way I looked at street style and fashion… I felt like he was always rooting for me.”

-Hailey Bieber, Model

Virgil’s creative abilities led him in many directions. From screen printing onto Ralph Lauren flannels to designing IKEA furniture and even a wedding gown for Hailey Bieber, there was nothing that he couldn’t do.

Virgil didn’t limit himself to a single role, title, or even industry. He used his skills to capitalize on any endeavor that was thrown in his direction, and his versatility was a big part of his global appeal.

He took criticism with open arms and used it to push conversations forward. This goes to show the active role that he played in creating vicariously with his peers, without succumbing to the pressures of industry trends or creating things solely on the basis that they would sell.

6. Remember those who were there from the beginning.

“I had never met ANYONE like him…He put everything aside and remembered me at the peak of his career.”

-Heron Preston, Designer

Virgil didn’t let his fame get to his head. He went out of his way to make time for those that were there for him from the start, including CTNP designer Heron Preston.

His roots were deeply embedded in his work, and he always made sure to give credit where credit was due.

The biggest nod to his past was probably the development of the Freedom Skatepark in Ghana, the city where his parents emigrated from.

Skateboarding culture heavily influenced Virgil’s creative vision, and he wanted to share this inspiration with the youth in Ghana by giving them a place to exercise their freedom — both on and off the skateboard.

7. Never stop fighting for what you believe in, no matter what stands in the way.

“The way he made a positive impact on anything he touched, and always pushed for his culture/the world is the reason why he was an angel on earth and one to so many…You broke boundaries and made everything your own.”

-Bella Hadid, Model

With Black youth at the core of his vision, Virgil managed to bend the rigid boundaries of the luxury fashion world by infusing them with elements of his culture such as music and skateboarding.

He has always pushed for social justice, especially in Black communities, and even donated $20,500 to the bail costs of protestors that were arrested during Black Lives Matter protests (despite being criticized for sharing his $50 donation match on Instagram).

Virgil used his vision and resources to alter the trajectory of everything that he stood behind, whether it be in his career or local communities.

Bella pays homage to Virgil's generosity and commitment to bettering the world, which never went unnoticed.

8. Use your victories to pave the way for others.

“He would step out and take meetings with us and investors to help us start our businesses. He wanted to give us the key. He said ‘this is our world.’ He put us in campaigns, gave us tools and led the way for us to execute our creativity.”

-Simi & Haze Khadra, Entrepreneurs

Virgil wanted to see those around him succeed. He didn’t just open doors, but literally built new entrances to enable more people to pass through.

He valued community over everything and didn’t limit that sense of community to those in his inner circle.

When vandalists looted Sean Wotherspoon’s store in LA in the midst of the Black Lives Matter protests, he held the community accountable by asserting that “we’re apart of a culture together.”

His definition of community wasn’t limited to a single industry, race, class, or gender, but instead embodied all creatives who stood behind his vision.

9. Let your past inspire you, not define you.

“I knew then I was experiencing the honor of wearing a designer whose work transcends both past and present. To rephrase something you once said, let us paint new pictures where the old ones have been erased.”

-Amanda Gorman, Poet

Virgil spoke with eloquence, and his statements always embodied layers of embedded wisdom. It’s no wonder that words were the center of his artistic work, especially with the use of quotation marks in his acclaimed Off-White brand.

Amanda Gorman recounts a statement Virgil made about merging the past and present which is symbolic of the view that he adopted towards his work. He wasn’t afraid to try and fail, and knew that in absence of failure would come great success that could replace previous standards or expectations.

From bringing skateboarding to the realm of high fashion or giving streetwear a place in one of the world’s most renowned luxury brands, Virgil managed to preserve the culture of his past while letting his vision travel lightyears ahead.

10. No excuses — we all have 24 hours in a day.

“You inspired millions, broke down walls, opened doors and gave out the keys. I have always been mind blown how you made time for everyone while at the same time working harder than anyone else in the game.”

-Sean Wotherspoon, (Shoe) Designer

Virgil was everyone’s biggest fan.

He wasn’t one to make excuses and never used his race or background as an excuse for his success (or lack thereof) before he took off.

As a minority who was already at a disadvantage in American society before even opening his mouth, he understood the obstacles and limitations that his fellow creatives faced and genuinely believed that they were capable of breaking them, just as he did.

Virgil’s success was proof that hard work and dedication can earn you a seat at any table, and the way that he made himself accessible to everyone proved that this table has no time reservations or assigned seat placements.

Surely we will all remember what Virgil both said and did, but most importantly, these quotes shed light on exactly how Virgil made people feel.

RIP Virgil. (1980-2021)

Thank you for your dedication to your vision that will continue to inspire the world for generations to come.

You are missed by many.

Here’s to your legacy.