Virgil Abloh was born onSeptember 30, 1980, in Rockford, Illinois, to Ghanaian immigrant parents. He grew up with a passion for design and creativity, which led him to earn a degree in civil engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2002 and later a Master’s in Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). During his time at IIT, Virgil began exploring fashion design, starting with a blog called The Brilliance and creating custom t-shirts.
Abloh’s career skyrocketed when he founded the Milan-based streetwear brand Off-White in 2013, gaining global recognition for its unique use of quotation marks, capital letters, zip ties, and barricade tape motifs. In 2018, he made history as the first American of African descent to serve as Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear line.
His collaborations with Kanye West, Nike, Ikea, and Rimowa further solidified his reputation as a creative visionary. At the time of his passing in November 2021, Virgil Abloh net worth of $100 million, reflecting both his commercial success and lasting impact on the fashion world.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Virgil Abloh |
| Date of Birth | September 30, 1980 |
| Place of Birth | Rockford, Illinois, USA |
| Education | B.Sc. in Civil Engineering – University of Wisconsin-Madison (2002), Master of Architecture – Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) |
| Occupation | Fashion Designer, Artist, DJ |
| Notable Roles | Founder of Off-White, Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton Menswear |
| Famous Collaborations | Kanye West, Nike, Ikea, Rimowa |
| Net Worth | $100 million |
| Salary | $10 million per year (LVMH) |
| Major Achievements | First American of African descent to direct a French luxury fashion house, Time 100 Most Influential People (2018) |
| Personal Life | Married in 2009; two children |
| Date of Death | November 28, 2021 |
What Was Virgil Abloh’s Net Worth?
Virgil Abloh was a groundbreaking American fashion designer, artist, and DJ, with an estimated net worth of $100 million at the time of his passing in November 2021. He gained global recognition as the founder of the luxury streetwear brand Off-White and became the artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear line in 2018. Abloh also worked closely with Kanye West as one of his creative directors. Notably, he was the first American of African descent to hold the prestigious role of artistic director at a French luxury fashion house.
In 2018, Time magazine included him in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The following year, he joined the board of directors of The Council of Fashion Designers of America, further cementing his influence in the fashion industry. In July 2021, Abloh sold a majority stake in Off-White to LVMH, expanding his impact on luxury fashion even further. Tragically, Virgil passed away on November 28, 2021, after a private battle with cancer.
Salary
Virgil Abloh earned a reported base salary of $10 million per year at LVMH.
LVMH Acquisition
On July 20, 2021, LVMH purchased a 60% stake in Off-White. With the acquisition, Abloh’s role expanded to overseeing a range of LVMH products, including fashion, accessories, and even brands like Hennessy and Dom Perignon, along with hotels.
Early Life
Virgil Abloh was born on September 30, 1980, in Rockford, Illinois, to Ghanaian immigrant parents. He earned a civil engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2002 and later completed a Master of Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). During his time at IIT, he started a fashion blog called The Brilliance and began designing t-shirts, marking the start of his journey in fashion.
Collaboration with Kanye West
After graduating, Abloh interned at Fendi’s Rome office, where he met Kanye West, another intern at the time. Their friendship and shared creative vision led to multiple collaborations. In 2010, Abloh co-founded RSVP Gallery, a retail store in Chicago, and that same year Kanye appointed him as creative director of his agency, DONDA. In 2011, he worked as artistic director on Kanye and Jay-Z’s collaborative album Watch the Throne.
Off-White
In 2013, Virgil launched the Milan-based fashion label Off-White. The brand debuted a womenswear line at Paris Fashion Week in 2014 and quickly became known for its distinctive design elements, including quotation marks, capital letters, zip-ties, and barricade tape motifs. In 2017, Off-White partnered with Nike on The Ten shoe collaboration and later collaborated with Ikea on furniture and tote bags. In 2018, Abloh launched a luggage line with Rimowa.
Louis Vuitton
In March 2018, Abloh was appointed artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear ready-to-wear line, a historic milestone in luxury fashion. By July 2021, LVMH acquired a 60% stake in Off-White, which then had 56 retail stores across 40 countries.
Personal Life
Virgil met his wife in high school, and they married in 2009. The couple had two children together, maintaining a close-knit family life alongside his groundbreaking career.
FAQ’s
Who was Virgil Abloh?
Virgil Abloh was an American designer, artist, and DJ known for founding the luxury streetwear brand Off-White. He also served as the Artistic Director for Louis Vuitton’s menswear line and collaborated with major brands like Nike and Ikea. Abloh was widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in modern fashion.
What was Virgil Abloh’s net worth?
At the time of his passing in November 2021, Virgil Abloh net worth was estimated at $100 million. His wealth came from his successful fashion brands, collaborations with global companies, and his role as Artistic Director at Louis Vuitton.
When and where was Virgil Abloh born?
Virgil Abloh was born on September 30, 1980, in Rockford, Illinois, to Ghanaian immigrant parents. He grew up in a creative environment that nurtured his interest in design, eventually leading him to a career in architecture and fashion.
What is Off-White, and what is it known for?
Off-White, founded by Virgil Abloh in 2013, is a Milan-based streetwear and luxury fashion brand. It is known for its signature use of quotation marks, zip ties, barricade tape motifs, and bold capital lettering. The brand gained global attention through collaborations with Nike, Ikea, and Rimowa.
What roles did Virgil Abloh have at Louis Vuitton?
In 2018, Virgil Abloh became the Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear line, making him the first American of African descent to hold such a position at a French luxury fashion house. He helped design collections that blended luxury fashion with streetwear aesthetics, cementing his influence in global fashion.
Conclusion
Virgil Abloh’s career was a remarkable blend of creativity, innovation, and influence in both fashion and design. From founding the globally recognized streetwear brand Off-White to becoming the first American of African descent to serve as Louis Vuitton’s menswear Artistic Director, he redefined the boundaries between streetwear and luxury fashion. His collaborations with Nike, Ikea, Rimowa, and other global brands further cemented his legacy as a visionary designer.
At the time of his passing in 2021, Virgil Abloh had amassed a net worth of $100 million, reflecting the enormous impact of his entrepreneurial spirit and artistic talent. Beyond the numbers, his work continues to inspire designers, artists, and fashion enthusiasts worldwide, leaving an enduring mark on modern culture.
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