“VIRGIL WAS HERE”
A review of Virgil Abloh and his Spring-Summer 2022 collection
“I think the reason why Off-White exists is to modernize fashion.” — Virgil Abloh
When you look up G.O.A.T in images, a picture of Virgil Abloh should be one of the first listed. He is the inspiration behind some of the most popular fashion, shoes, trends, and brands in the world. He is the first black artistic director for Louis Vuitton in the company’s history, and the CEO of Off-White, the 2018 hottest label in the world, according to The New Yorker.
In 2011, Virgil Abloh served as the artistic director for Kanye West and Jay-Z’s collaborative album, “Watch the Throne.” That year, he was nominated for a Grammy for Best Album Packaging. Then, in 2015 Off-White was nominated for the LVMH prize, and he was the only American designer to be nominated for the prize. In 2017, he won the Urban Luxe Award at the British Fashion Awards, and the International Designer of the Year at the GQ Men of the Year Awards. The next year, he was named one of Time Magazine’s most influential people of the year.
Virgil Abloh recently passed away on November 28, 2021 at the age of 41 due to an ongoing battle with cancer. Though he is gone, his legacy will continue to live on forever. He broke barriers and paved the way for the future generation of fashion and art designers, he is truly a legend.
Louis Vuitton paid homage to the life and legacy of Virgil with the presentation of his Spring-Summer 2022 Collection in Miami on November 30th, two days after the announcement of his passing. The show brought in some of his closest friends and the biggest artists in the world including Drake, Kanye West, Pharrell, etc… The full collection can be found under the YouTube video titled, “Virgil Was Here.”
The collection featured everything from tailored formalwear to casual tracksuits, the collection is a mix of a businessman and rave-goer and includes vibrant neon colors. Models are seen outfitted in beaded necklaces, accompanied by floral earrings, blade pendants and oversized crystal rings. Other accessory and footwear offerings feature different bags full of bold patterns, along with embellished belts, extravagant headwear, and the highly anticipated Nike Air Force 1 collaboration. He adds contrast with the oversized padded blazers followed by sleek trench-coats. The stand-out pieces include a patchwork jacket printed with graphics of ’90s rave flyers, a jigsaw imprint suit and a violet tracksuit with monogram-printed mesh. This collection will surely go down as one of Virgil’s best works and take the lead in remembering his legacy forever.
