By Megan Riedlinger
10:35am PST, Nov 29, 2021
Virgil Abloh, the founder of the brand Off-White and the artistic director of men's fashion at Louis Vuitton, passed away on Nov. 28, 2021, at 41. The talented designer had been fighting an aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma, for more than two years, according to a statement posted on his social media account. Keep reading through to see how stars are reacting to the shocking and sad news…
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"Im at a loss .. He was someone to everyone. That was the magic power he held. He made every person he came across feel special in whatever way he possibly could. Even when the world felt sad, he brought laughter and color and beauty. The way he made a positive impact on anything he touched, and always pushed for his culture/the world is the reason why he was an angel on earth and one to so many. The most beautiful warrior soul. I can't believe this. You broke boundaries and made everything your own. You shared your love infinitely. The way your brain worked was beyond anything , and the way you did every single thing in life for your family, friends, and for the better .. . We're gonna miss you a lot V . You really saw me and supported me on every level. As you did to so many of us. An ethereal light. You always inspired to keep pushing, work hard and be kind. No matter what. I'm thinking about, sending love and prayers to his beautiful Shannon, their kids, and the rest of the Abloh family. I'm devastated. You will be so missed and cherished V. 'FOR INFINITY..' Fly high my Libra brother. I know you're watching over the world now . I love you for life." –Bella Hadid, who the morning after further posted, "Woke up hoping this was a nightmare. I really can't believe it. A real friend in all of this. Best brain-stormer. A titan. What I hope is that he felt as deeply loved as he was . I miss you already brother . This hurts."
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"I am heartbroken by the loss of my dear friend, and a friend to the world, Virgil Abloh.
He was 1 of 1.
His kindness and energetic generosity left a lasting impression on every life he touched— he made everyone feel seen and special. He will be deeply missed, cherished, and celebrated by me and all the people and industries that have been lucky enough to work around & know the true supernova behind this man.
I picture him now like our Mickey Mouse .. forever with us, forever adored, forever magical, forever guiding us with that special Virgil FUN; I'm sure that's how he wanted to be remembered, but still it will never be the same without him in the room.
You will continue to inspire me every day, V. I feel blessed and honored by every moment. Rest Easy, my friend. You are so loved. You were the difference. As we always said.. "See you somewhere, soon™️"
Sending my deepest condolences, light, and strength to Shannon, their kids, and his whole family." —Gigi Hadid
Kanye West — who grew close to Virgil Abloh when they both interned together at Fendi in 2009 — honored the late designer at the end of his livestreamed Sunday Service performance on Nov. 28 with a title card that read, "In loving memory of Virgil Abloh, the creative director of Donda," Kanye's brand.
"i can't believe i'm writing this. if you had the privilege of knowing Virgil, you were one of the lucky ones. he was the kindest, most positive, humble, joyful, and full of light person i have ever known. he had the most wonderful way of making you feel so special. his genuine smile would warm your heart. to battle his illness privately perfectly explains the type of man he was, he never wanted anyone to worry about him. we have lost a dear friend. no words do my feelings justice at this very moment, but what i can say is that i am absolutely heartbroken. for his family, his kids, his wife, and anyone who cared for him deeply. V taught me and all of us a very important lesson, although he knew he had only so long, he was bright, he was kind & he was full of love. we all need a little bit of Virgil in us. he leaves us with his influence, to create and change the world. you did just that Virg. our angel here on earth, is now above us. i love you V!!! i will miss you V. i am blessed to have been touched by your energy. i know you're setting all the best vibes up there. rest peacefully and powerfully beautiful Virgil. till next time" —Kendall Jenner
"Virgil completely changed the way I looked at street style and fashion, the way he looked at things inspired me deply. I will never be able to fully express how grateful I am to have known him and work with him, from walking on his runways to having him design my wedding dress and all the other amazing moments in between, I felt he was always rooting for me. He was someone who always brought life, charisma, love and fun to any situation, and every room he walked into. He was a once in a generation creative mind that is so rare and I'll never forget his impact. We love you Virgil." –Hailey Bieber
"When I heard the terrible news that @virgilabloh had passed, I sat in silence and thought about him for a good while. The word that kept announcing itself was 'delight.' He delighted the world with his art. It would have been all too easy to hide behind the inherent stinginess of 'limited edition' culture, but Virgil found a way to bring everyone along on the ride, and did so by remaining generous, accessible and supportive to everyone around him, his millions of fans included. To be that constant a creative force while retaining one's humanity is an ongoing effort, and Virgil remained true to that effort. It's going to be hard to reconcile how someone that vital could be gone. Rest In Peace, Virgil. We knew a genius." –John Mayer
"Virgil Abloh. 1980-2021. Rest in Power, King. You made an indelible mark on this world." –Lenny Kravitz
"you changed the world" –Kourtney Kardashian, adding broken heart and dove of peace emojis
"My heart is broken
Virgil you were a kind, generous, thoughtful creative genius
your work as a human and your work as a spiritual being will live forever
Sending love and light to your wife, children, family and day ones
you're with the Master now, shine" –Pharrell Williams
"The world lost a creative genius, beautiful soul, and true visionary today. Rest In Peace, #VirgilAbloh. My prayers and love go out to his friends and family and everyone who loved him" –Kerry Washington
"I'm so so saddened and devastated to hear about the passing of our dear friend Virgil Abloh. I'm sending all of my love and prayers to his beautiful family. You are an angel @virgilabloh and we love you…" –Kris Jenner
"A disrupter and innovator in the truest sense. You showed us the potential of art that centers Collaboration & Community grateful to have been in your orbit Rest In Peace" –Yara Shahidi
"VIRGIL ABLOH. This is a devastating loss to culture and fashion. What an inspiration and a creative force. Sending so much love to his family and loved ones." –Tracee Ellis Ross
"The teachable lesson here is disrupt. Provoke. Be controversial. Push buttons. Be a conversation piece….live as a true artist. No matter what your thoughts were —-about his work/life, weather you slept in line for off white…..or you snarked comments—-the true sign of an artist is all these things. Virgil Abloh was art." –Questlove
"I'm devastated by the passing of @virgilabloh …. I love him so much. I always watched everything he did so closely and it inspired me to be better in everything I do. His collections literally brought me to tears because they were so connected so beautiful and so inspiring. I never got a chance to meet him and I wanted to at this years @themetgalaofficial. It was so festive there this year and the first time anyone had been out in a long time and we didn't cross paths even though I saw him from the distance but I was caught in a conversation and when I looked up he was gone. I thought I had more time, I had no idea he didn't have more time… It was so brave how he continued his life work through the absolute most difficult of circumstances. I'm amazing how he continued no matter what to pursue what he loved and to bring opportunity to all, to open doors and elevate the worlds of fashion, design and art. It gives me even more inspiration as I prepare for next years tennis season coming off of a few years of challenging injuries. I have a feeling everything I do and experience next year will be for Virgil and inspired by Virgil…. I can't believe that he's gone. It's surreal, it feels like he's still here. I love him, always have and always will" –Venus Williams
"Too soon Virgil. You will be missed from this world man." –Idris Elba
"A true creative, a visionary, a dreamer, an example of impossible possibilities. Rest well Virgil." –Cynthia Erivo
"RIP Virgil Abloh , you will be missed. It was an honor to work with you. A true creative genius." –BTS
"What can you say when a force like @virgilabloh is taken too soon? You gave the world so much, in so little time. And created with intensity… knowing better than the rest of us that life is short, but anything is possible. I'm honored to have known you. Thank you for sharing your gift with us" —Justin Timberlake
"Rest in Power @virgilabloh … gone too soon but your legacy lives on. Stretched culture & changed the game. Thank you for all you did to support so many & how to pushed us to reimagine what's possible" –Riz Ahmed
"I can't even gather my f****** thoughts right now. What an impact he made on everyone he met. He never said one negative thing about anyone. He was the definition of good energy and vibes. I'm not sure what our community looks like without it's leader. And that's exactly what he was. I feel so lucky I knew him. He was the most humble even after all his success and just wanted others to win. All I have is immense gratitude for Virgil. Thank you for everything Virgil. Rest In Peace." –Leah McSweeney
"Damn. Gutted. @virgilabloh is gone. He just texted me a few days ago… still —just a week ago— pushing me to focus on passion. The world lost an amazing talent today. I had no idea what he was fighting. Please don't squander your time. I'm trying to do better myself" –Alexis Ohanian
"A true inspiration in so many ways. Rest in peace @virgilabloh. Sending love and light to your beautiful family We will all miss you so very much x" –Victoria Beckham
"Rest In Peace, Virgil. May God bless your family." –Quavo
"Rip Virgil prayers to your family thank you for always supporting the youth always kind we just spoke bro smh" –Offset
"Virgil, I am lost for words. The world has lost a fashion superstar. An innovator. A creator for the history books. I am thinking of all your loved ones on this tragic day. Love, Donatella" –Donatella Versace
"You just never know what someone is going through…
Just be kind Rest In Peace, #VirgilAbloh" –Holly Robinson Peete
"Rest In Peace Great One! Such a Visionary! @virgilabloh Sending my love and prayers to his family!" –Kelly Rowland
"rest in absolute peace. shocking. thank you Virgil" –Kehlani
"oh man, rest in peace Virgil Abloh" –Elijah Wood
"Damn. This is a sad day. This is hard to process. F*** CANCER. RIP VIRGIL ABLOH" –Jordyn Woods
"Rest in power @virgilabloh" –Scooter Braun
"So sad to hear about passing of Virgil Abloh an inspiration to so many and of course an inspiration [to] me. Sending my love to his loved ones" –Finneas
"Wow.. Virgil Abloh was [the] first African American to ever be an artistic director for Louis Vuitton in the brand's entire 167 years of existence. Hew as 41 years old. Condolences to his family.." –Loni Love
"A Designer, an Artist, a Pioneer and a[n] incredible Visionary in the world of fashion that was @virgilabloh
your impact was powerful! You will be missed, our prayers are with your family! #RIPVirgilAbloh #LouisVuitton #BTS #LV" –La Toya Jackson
"I can't believe it. Gutted. RIP V" –Lindsey Vonn
"Sad news rest easy sir #VirgilAbloh #tellvirgilwritebrickonmybrick #greselda" –Cedric the Entertainer
"The news of #VirgilAbloh is heartbreaking. I never got a chance to meet him, I wanted to! Same hometown. Virgil Abloh certainly changed art!!!!!!" –Michelle Williams
"Rip Virgil thank you for all you did here" –Chantel Jeffries
