Virgil Abloh’s sudden passing at the age of 41 has left the fashion industry heartbroken. Having quietly battled an aggressive form of cancer for the last two years, the Off-White designer and artistic director of menswear at Louis Vuitton was arguably one of the hardest workers in his field (and many will agree that he was a once-in-a-generation talent), never lifting his foot off the pedal when it comes to juggling seasonal collections for his respective brands, raising the bar for multi-disciplinary collabs, taking up music gigs, and even raising funds to support creative talents and other social causes. Yes, he was designing like he was on borrowed time... and we should have known better. Apart from all the inspired designs and philosophical outlook about fashion that he left us with, Abloh was ultimately an exemplary human being and a family man. Here’s the statement from his fam:

“We are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved Virgil Abloh, a fiercely devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his loving wife Shannon Abloh, his children Lowe Abloh and Grey Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh, his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh, and numerous dear friends and colleagues.

“For over two years, Virgil valiantly battled a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma. 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.

“Through it all, his work ethic, infinite curiosity, and optimism never wavered. Virgil was driven by his dedication to his craft and to his mission to open doors for others and create pathways for greater equality in art and design. He often said, “Everything I do is for the 17-year-old version of myself,” believing deeply in the power of art to inspire future generations.

“We thank you all for your love and support, and we ask for privacy as we grieve and celebrate Virgil’s life.”

Rest in peace, Mr. Abloh.