Abloh’s influence went far beyond clothing. He designed albums, furniture, art installations and exhibitions that blurred the lines between disciplines.
Virgil Abloh: The Codes is a look into the way Abloh thought, built, and shared. It shows how ideas moved through his world, how references turned into garments, and how he stayed rooted in community even as his reach grew global.
The exhibit opens on September 30, on what would have been Abloh’s 45th birthday, and runs through October 10. Spanning nearly two decades of creative output, the exhibition will include early prototypes, personal collections, rare collaborations, and unreleased projects. Organized by the Virgil Abloh Archive in collaboration with Nike and curated by Mahfuz and Chloe Sultan (longtime collaborators of Abloh and co-founders of Architecture Films), it also includes workshops, talks, and performances designed to invite visitors inside Abloh’s creative process.
Abloh passed away in November 2021 after a private two-year battle with a rare form of cancer called cardiac angiosarcoma. He was just 41. His death was a huge loss not only because he was so young, but because he had already changed the way people think about fashion and creativity.
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And with the exhibition just around the corner, it feels like the right time to look back at some of Virgil Abloh’s notable moments in fashion:
The rise of Off-White
Abloh launched Off-White in 2013 and quickly made it one of the most influential labels of the decade. He fused luxury with streetwear, with graphic hoodies, construction-style labels, and runway shows that looked more like cultural events than just mere fashion presentations.
His designs spoke to a generation raised on Tumblr, rap albums, and sneaker drops, which eventually saw that aesthetic reflected in high fashion.
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Collaboration with Nike
In 2017, Abloh partnered with Nike on The Ten, a project that reimagined 10 of the brand’s most iconic sneakers. Abloh reworked ten classic Nike sneakers, and instead of simply updating them, he deconstructed them with visible stitching, text, and his signature zip ties.
Shows like the Off-White Air Jordan 1 and the Air Presto became instant holy grails, not just for sneakerheads but for anyone paying attention.
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Making history at Louis Vuitton
When Abloh was named artistic director of menswear at Louis Vuitton in 2018, it was a turning point not just for him, but for the industry too. He was the first African-American designer to hold the role at the brand, and one of the few in the luxury space with a background outside the traditional fashion system.
His debut show, with a rainbow runway and global casting, felt like a celebration of possibility. He brought a new energy to Vuitton’s heritage by remixing classic pieces like the Soft Trunk bag, adding bold color palettes, and weaving in nods to streetwear, art, and Black culture.
Work beyond fashion
Abloh’s influence went far beyond clothing. He designed album packaging (Watch the Throne, Yeezus), created furniture with IKEA, and made art installations and exhibitions that blurred the lines between disciplines.
He even designed Hailey Bieber’s wedding dress. A custom Off-White gown with “TILL DEATH DO US PART” stitched into the veil in bold lettering.
Virgil Abloh: The Codes is an exhibit that you shouldn’t miss if you happen to be in the city for PFW.
