Assignment #3: Specific Designer Evolution

Virgil Abloh is a 38 year old American fashion designer, DJ, music producer, and current creative director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection since March 2018. Early on Abloh received an Undergraduate degree in civil engineering, and masters degree in architecture. During his time at the Illinois Institute of Technology for his masters, Abloh said he began getting more and more interested in fashion. Apart from his work at LV, he serves as the chief executive officer of the Milan-based label, Off-White, which was founded in 2012. Today Abloh is shaping fashion, as he is making Louis Vuitton menswear more street style. According to GQ magazine, “Abloh is inspired by various things such as the hit movie Pretty Woman, model Bella Hadid, Marcel Duchamp’s innovation in the industry, the city of Paris, France and much more.”

Some of His Early Work:

As said before, Virgil Abloh founded brand Off-White beginning in 2012. Current designs range from patchwork to graphic tees, and they all feature the company's trademark stripes that say "WHITE."

1. In 2011 Abloh art directs Jay-Z's and Kanye West album Watch the Throne. This achievement earns him a Grammy nomination. Abloh and West collaborate several other times and become very good friends. This was the start of Virgil Abloh's name becoming more and more recognized.

2. Off-White Spring 2015 Menswear:

• Centered around the world of street savvy beach bum

• Many layers were key to the Off-White look

• Involved T-shirts, shorts, mesh skirts, and ponchos

3. Off-White Fall 2015 Menswear:

• Inspired by trips to Wyoming

• Patchwork

• Blanket coats

• T-shirts

• Rugged and Outdoorsy

4. Off-White Spring 2016 Menswear:

• "Blue Collar" inspired

• Paint-scuffed denim

• Patchwork

5. Off-White Fall 2018 Menswear:

• Business casual

• "Maybe I have this weird fascination with it; I guess it was the life I was assuming I would have." - Virgil Abloh (Article)

6. Abloh and Nike's "The Ten" collaboration, was the hugest sneaker release event of 2017. "These 10 shoes have broken barriers in performance and style. To me they are on the same level as a sculpture of David or the Monna. You can debate all you want, but they mean something. And that's what's important." - Virgil Abloh (Article)

Virgil Abloh Now:

Major influences causing Abloh's change is definitely society and social media/the media. As you can see below, Virgil has a much more sophisticated look for the new LV, but keeps it street and street-style inspired.

1. Off-White Fall 2019 Menswear:

• "Public Television"

• Chill-factor

• Boxy looks

• Minimal

2. Off-White Spring 2019 Menswear:

• Graphics

• Loose and fun

• Young teens

• Graffiti inspired

3. Louis Vuitton Spring 2019 Menswear:

• "We are the world"

• Reference from Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie's 1985 charity single in support of Ethiopian famine relief

• Power sources of Afro-cultural creativity in music and style, to the activation of the narrative of an international luxury powerhouse brand.