Black Coffee pays tribute to Virgil Abloh, who died of cancer over the weekend

Black Coffee pays tribute to Virgil Abloh, who died of cancer over the weekend
Image via Instagram
@realblackcoffee

Virgil Abloh: Black Coffee leads celebrity tributes following designer’s death

‘Till we meet again’: Black Coffee has led the celebrity tributes to close friend Virgil Abloh who died of cancer on Sunday.

Black Coffee pays tribute to Virgil Abloh, who died of cancer over the weekend

Black Coffee pays tribute to Virgil Abloh, who died of cancer over the weekend
Image via Instagram
@realblackcoffee

The fashion and entertainment industry is reeling by the untimely death of Virgil Abloh whose death was announced this weekend.

The fashion designer – known for his role as the artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection – died on Sunday 28 November after losing a private battle with cancer.

WHO IS VIRGIL ABLOH?

Virgil Abloh was born in Illinois, US to Ghanian immirgant parents. The 41-year-old developed an enthusiasm for fashion from his mother, who worked as a seamstress.

After earning a degree in civil engineering and a masters in architecture, Virgil forged a career in fashion design. It was there that he met celebrity pal Kanye West, whom he interned alongside at fashion house Fendi in 2009. The pair would form a collaborative relationship and friendship that lasted many years.

Virgil Abloh started his own fashion label called Off-White which went on to surpass high-end brand Gucci as one of the “hottest labels in the world”.

He also joined Louis Vuitton as an artistic director and collaborated with Nike, Levi’s and Jimmy Choo amongst other labels.

In addition to fashion, Virgil Abloh also designed album covers, furniture, luggage and even DJ’d on the side.

VIRGIL ABLOH DIES OF RARE CANCER

Unbeknownst to the public, Virgil Abloh battled cardiac angiosarcoma for the last two years, a rare cancer of the heart which restricts both the inflow and outflow of blood to and from the organ.

“He chose to endure his battle privately since his diagnosis in 2019, undergoing numerous challenging treatments, all while helming several significant institutions that span fashion, art, and culture”, a statement on his official Instagram account read.

Instagram

Virgil is survived by his wife Shannon Abloh, his children Lowe Abloh and Grey Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh and both his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh.

BLACK COFFEE SENDS LOVE: ‘TILL WE MEET AGAIN’

Meanwhile, South African DJ Black Coffee posted a touching tribute to Virgil Abloh on his social media accounts.

He posted: “Thank you for everything you’ve done for us and generations to come. Love you my brother till we meet again”.

Instagram

The pair were firm friends, having DJ’d together in various events – including Music Is King – as well as working on both art and fashion projects together.

In 2018, Black Coffee announced he would be building a music, art and fashion school in Johannesburg, designed by Virgil Abloh.

And in 2019, the designer launched a fashion capsule collection honoring the DJ’s influence on his own career.

CELEBRITIES REMEMBER VIRGIL ABLOH

Virgil Abloh has been remembered by some of the biggest celebrities around the world for his contribution to the industry.

Take a look at some of the stars who paid tribute to him…