Tragically, this past week the world lost the incomparable Virgil Abloh to cancer. His mark on fashion, design, and culture is immeasurable. Virgil’s style and perspective were unique and all his own. A trailblazer, his passing has left a huge void in the world of his family, friends, fans, and admirers.
Sometimes while dealing with loss it can be therapeutic to write down some words of what that person meant to you. For the latest installment of SoleSavy Speaks Up, we asked our community to share any stories, feelings, or thoughts they were having about Virgil. We appreciate everyone for taking the time to share some words and hope.
He really brought three different spaces together — art, high fashion, and streetwear. Combining these three spaces is extremely huge since it brought in urban culture in exclusively “rich” spaces and it also allowed folks who aren’t able to afford expensive art pieces and high fashion pieces into their closet. He basically paved the way for many other designers and artists so he definitely was a trailblazer. – smilene
One thing I absolutely appreciated was the original Ten collection. He came in and totally changed the game, especially during a time that Adidas was seemingly hitting home run after home run. For me, he changed the way that I look at shoes and made me appreciate little details that would normally go unnoticed. RIP Virgil 🙏🏽 – Mo
I really appreciated Virgil’s influence and ability to start conversations – look what he did with 2’s or even the zip tie on or off debate. Virgil also included women on his team for his collabs, paving the way for more women in the sneaker industry. It’s one thing to make super hype women collabs but to include women in the process is huge and I respect that heavy. He really changed the game in a short period of time and his legacy is going to live on for a very long time🕊 – christyc23
I honestly love the fact that he was able to take something we love and give it that urban high fashion feel! Game changer in my opinion!! You knew when it was OFFWHITE. – Rio rdotta
Virgil was committed to his vision. – Jason_C
I remember getting back into sneakers and starting to watch sneaker YouTubers and seeing everyone with this green “wet grass” carpet and thinking, “that’s so simple but so sick, I want one”, then finding out what they were worth 😂 but still appreciating the design. – Jay’s Studio
I didn’t know who he was before his first colab with Nike, I was familiar with Pyrex and the name Off White but not the designer. What he did with the Nike collection was unique in its moment, design wise not much was new but the way he did it it felt new. I believe he changed the Custom Sneaker culture, he made us expect more than just a paint job, we looked more at the story behind it and paid more attention to fabrics and finishes. I remember looking at his Off White AJ 1’s in hand and looking at lines and shapes that I hadn’t noticed before, it was refreshing. – Pixeltoaster
RIP to a legend, and may his legacy live on 🕊 – Trunks
Listening to the “House” album with Lupe Fiasco during lockdown, when I couldn’t leave my own house. Virgil’s features, especially on the “Shoes” track, we’re great. Gave insight to his thought process and his conscious intent on everything he did. – mcharamella
I joined SoleSavy last year trying to get the Sail 5s. I didn’t get them but it was literally Virgil that brought me here. – Covey
I appreciated how he deconstructed classic Nike and Jordan silhouettes. That deconstruction was so influential that it instructs design aesthetics to this day. – Sal
I appreciated Virgil’s outlook on design and his approach to pushing the boundaries on the sneakers he designed. Virgil’s genius inspired me, and so many others to look at shoes and artwork in a different way. RIP Virgil! 🙏🏽 – Brian T
I’m gonna keep it two Virgil’s with you all. Someone like Virgil was everything to me as a black man that’s in love with the fashion industry. I’ve always been the oddball in my circle of friends as far as the way I dressed and the styles I’ve been into. Some people throw jokes my way and others applaud it and say “you can pull off a fit like that, but not me”. I feel like he gets me. He gives me hope. He gives me inspiration. He changed the fashion world in my opinion. His legacy will live on. – Campbell
My favorite collab was the Trinice McNally black LGBTQIA+ migrant project capsule. I am most grateful for Virgil being that champion for the small people, giving a voice to those who could not speak as loudly as him, spreading love to those who may not have felt as loved before, opening the door for so many people, and giving back to those who needed it. The man had so much love to give. – Felix
My personal favorite is the Off White Jordan 5 in Muslin. I’ve been working in advertising a long time and it has always been my dream to reach the position of creative director. Upon reaching that level I promised myself a splurge to celebrate. This summer when it happened I immediately copped the 5 because it shows I worked hard enough to become a Creative Director, just like the man, Virgil Abloh. – Yoitsandrew
He made the way most of us like to dress acceptable and cool, broke boundaries for POC in fashion and he brought Nike back from the graveyard with “The 10” when Adidas was killing them in 2015/16/17. – Sneekerhed
One thing that stood out about Virgil was the fact that for us who dress different he made it acceptable to have your own style and he went against every fashion rule to make his own wave that resented with a lot of us around the world. The biggest thing for me is the fact that he got unknown black models from Africa on the big stage like it’s never been done before. RIP KING 🤴🏾 – NappyAstro
Appreciated his push for free game. He always tried to influence the next generation and left behind an archive of all of his inner workings to how his mind worked to get to the projects that he ended up making. Taught a bunch of classes and held exhibitions displaying samples and even went out on Instagram explaining that Jordan 2 (in hindsight probably because he showcase any other way). Took advantage of any educational moment he had to share his knowledge and influenced a bunch of people to follow in his footsteps or put people on. – Vincent V.