A look at Virgil Abloh’s boundary-pushing designs and collaborations | CNN

CNN values your feedback

1. How relevant is this ad to you?
2. Did you encounter any technical issues?
Thank You!
Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated.
Close
Ad Feedback
Arts
Design
Fashion
Architecture
Luxury
Beauty
Video
More
Arts Design Fashion Architecture Luxury Beauty Video
Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
Edition
US
International
Arabic
Español
Edition
  • US
  • International
  • Arabic
  • Español

Arts
Design
Fashion
Architecture
Luxury
Beauty
Video

Follow CNN Style
Download the CNN App

  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Elections 2026
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • World Cup 2026
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Fast
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Download the CNN App

A look at Virgil Abloh’s boundary-pushing designs and collaborations

Megan C. Hills
Updated 10:50 AM EST, Mon November 29, 2021
Link Copied!
From his history-making work at Louis Vuitton as men's artistic director to unexpected partnerships with Mercedes Benz and artist Takashi Murakami, here's a look back at some of Virgil Abloh's best designs and collaborations. (Pictured: Abloh at the 2021 Met Gala "Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021.
From his history-making work at Louis Vuitton as men's artistic director to unexpected partnerships with Mercedes Benz and artist Takashi Murakami, here's a look back at some of Virgil Abloh's best designs and collaborations. (Pictured: Abloh at the 2021 Met Gala "Celebrating In America: A Lexicon Of Fashion" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on September 13, 2021.
Cindy Ord/MG21/Getty Images
At the 2019 Golden Globes, Timothee Chalamet instantly went viral when he appeared on the red carpet wearing a black sparkling Louis Vuitton harness.
At the 2019 Golden Globes, Timothee Chalamet instantly went viral when he appeared on the red carpet wearing a black sparkling Louis Vuitton harness.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images
At the 2018 Met Gala, Abloh dressed and accompanied model Kendall Jenner in a trailing jumpsuit by his brand Off-White. The year's theme was "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination"' and Abloh's white suit featured religious panels designed to look like cathedral stained-glass windows, alongside a pair of blue and white sneakers.
At the 2018 Met Gala, Abloh dressed and accompanied model Kendall Jenner in a trailing jumpsuit by his brand Off-White. The year's theme was "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination"' and Abloh's white suit featured religious panels designed to look like cathedral stained-glass windows, alongside a pair of blue and white sneakers.
Frazer Harrison/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Virgil Abloh was announced as Louis Vuitton's men's artistic director in 2018 and debuted his first collection that same year, releasing a Spring-Summer 2019 collection. Featuring celebrity models like Kid Cudi and Playboi Carti, he brought his vast experience of streetwear to the house and dressed attendee Rihanna; seen here alongside the designer in a white Louis Vuitton ensemble.
Virgil Abloh was announced as Louis Vuitton's men's artistic director in 2018 and debuted his first collection that same year, releasing a Spring-Summer 2019 collection. Featuring celebrity models like Kid Cudi and Playboi Carti, he brought his vast experience of streetwear to the house and dressed attendee Rihanna; seen here alongside the designer in a white Louis Vuitton ensemble.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
At one of his last fashion shows for Louis Vuitton, Abloh combined his love of architecture and fashion in a series of adventurous skyline puffer jackets. For his Fall-Winter 2021-22 collection, he paid homage to Paris where the show was held with a jacket covered in the city's landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur cathedral among others.
At one of his last fashion shows for Louis Vuitton, Abloh combined his love of architecture and fashion in a series of adventurous skyline puffer jackets. For his Fall-Winter 2021-22 collection, he paid homage to Paris where the show was held with a jacket covered in the city's landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur cathedral among others.
Dominique Charriau/WireImage//Getty Images
Throughout his career, the Ghanaian-American designer reinterpreted the American flag in Louis Vuitton collections and through art. The motif appeared frequently in his 2019 Fall-Winter Menswear collection for LV, which was inspired heavily by Michael Jackson, with this desaturated pleated outfit holding court as one of its best pieces. He and Japanese artist Takashi Murakami also reintepreted the flag in a collaborative artwork in 2018 for the Gagosian and the flag also appeared as early as 2013 in his works, with A$AP Rocky draped in it for his black and white album cover for "Long.Live.A$AP" created by Abloh.
Throughout his career, the Ghanaian-American designer reinterpreted the American flag in Louis Vuitton collections and through art. The motif appeared frequently in his 2019 Fall-Winter Menswear collection for LV, which was inspired heavily by Michael Jackson, with this desaturated pleated outfit holding court as one of its best pieces. He and Japanese artist Takashi Murakami also reintepreted the flag in a collaborative artwork in 2018 for the Gagosian and the flag also appeared as early as 2013 in his works, with A$AP Rocky draped in it for his black and white album cover for "Long.Live.A$AP" created by Abloh.
Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images
One of Abloh's greatest legacies will be his contribution to the world of footwear, with his long-standing collaborations with Nike setting the standard for innovative sneakers. Featuring Off-White's signature red security tag and tongue-in-cheek quotes, a range of rare sneakers he created called "The Ten" are especially prized by collectors. One of them can be seen above.
One of Abloh's greatest legacies will be his contribution to the world of footwear, with his long-standing collaborations with Nike setting the standard for innovative sneakers. Featuring Off-White's signature red security tag and tongue-in-cheek quotes, a range of rare sneakers he created called "The Ten" are especially prized by collectors. One of them can be seen above.
Matthew Sperzel/Getty Images
Cloud-prints and futuristic face shields made an appearance at Virgil Abloh's Fall-Winter 2020-21 collection for Louis Vuitton, where models walked through a dreamy setting in blue and white outfits.
Cloud-prints and futuristic face shields made an appearance at Virgil Abloh's Fall-Winter 2020-21 collection for Louis Vuitton, where models walked through a dreamy setting in blue and white outfits.
Kristy Sparow/Getty Images
Abloh, who was also a prolific DJ, was deeply tied to the world of music and worked with many major players on their album covers. Kanye West was one of his most frequent collaborators with his album covers for "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy," and "Yeezus" designed by Abloh. Kid Cudi and Jay-Z were also known to have worked closely with Abloh.
Abloh, who was also a prolific DJ, was deeply tied to the world of music and worked with many major players on their album covers. Kanye West was one of his most frequent collaborators with his album covers for "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy," and "Yeezus" designed by Abloh. Kid Cudi and Jay-Z were also known to have worked closely with Abloh.
Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/French Select/Getty Images
In Louis Vuitton's Fall-Winter 2021 collection, Abloh paid tribute to his Ghanaian heritage with this black and white Kente cloth design. The traditional garment, which is typically woven in bright colors, was given a monochrome makeover by Abloh and later worn by John Boyega at the 2021 Critics' Choice Awards where the actor won for Best Actor in a Limited Series.
In Louis Vuitton's Fall-Winter 2021 collection, Abloh paid tribute to his Ghanaian heritage with this black and white Kente cloth design. The traditional garment, which is typically woven in bright colors, was given a monochrome makeover by Abloh and later worn by John Boyega at the 2021 Critics' Choice Awards where the actor won for Best Actor in a Limited Series.
Pascal Le Segretain/ABA/Getty Images
At the 2017 CMT Music Awards, Nicole Kidman deviated from her usual style in a black lacy dress by Off-White. The lingerie-inspired piece featured artful cut-outs and was paired with black heels at the event, where she joined her husband Keith Urban for the show.
At the 2017 CMT Music Awards, Nicole Kidman deviated from her usual style in a black lacy dress by Off-White. The lingerie-inspired piece featured artful cut-outs and was paired with black heels at the event, where she joined her husband Keith Urban for the show.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Rainbow brights brought color to Virgil Abloh's Spring-Summer 2022 collection for Louis Vuitton, with Abloh transforming the brand's classic luggage silhouettes into technicolor dreams.
Rainbow brights brought color to Virgil Abloh's Spring-Summer 2022 collection for Louis Vuitton, with Abloh transforming the brand's classic luggage silhouettes into technicolor dreams.
Dominique Charriau/WireImage/Getty Images
Abloh designed this Off-White x Nike tutu that tennis player Serena Williams wore to the 2018 US Open. Williams wore a lavender and black version of the outfit.
Abloh designed this Off-White x Nike tutu that tennis player Serena Williams wore to the 2018 US Open. Williams wore a lavender and black version of the outfit.
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AFP/Getty Images
Abloh pushed the boundaries of gender throughout his later work, bringing in skirts for men in his 2021 shows. One of the designer's most talked about moments was his longtime collaborator Kid Cudi's appearance on "Saturday Night Live" in April this year, when the rapper appeared wearing a floral dress designed by Off-White in tribute to singer Kurt Cobain, who  famously wore a similar gown.
Abloh pushed the boundaries of gender throughout his later work, bringing in skirts for men in his 2021 shows. One of the designer's most talked about moments was his longtime collaborator Kid Cudi's appearance on "Saturday Night Live" in April this year, when the rapper appeared wearing a floral dress designed by Off-White in tribute to singer Kurt Cobain, who famously wore a similar gown.
Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
Virgil Abloh dabbled in the art world from time to time and joined forces with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami for a special 2018 "Technicolor 2" exhibition at the Gagosian, releasing artworks which combined Off-White's logo, signature quote details and more with Murakami's multicolor works. The pair also collaborated on other Gagosian exhibits, including "future history" and "American TOO."
Virgil Abloh dabbled in the art world from time to time and joined forces with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami for a special 2018 "Technicolor 2" exhibition at the Gagosian, releasing artworks which combined Off-White's logo, signature quote details and more with Murakami's multicolor works. The pair also collaborated on other Gagosian exhibits, including "future history" and "American TOO."
Victor Boyko/Getty Images
Fashion wasn't the only domain Abloh aimed to shake up, as his unexpected collaboration with Ikea saw his pieces sell out instantly. From a brown paper twist on the brand's blue bags to a grey rug printed with the words "Keep Off," he even blew up an Ikea receipt and transformed it into a carpet.
Fashion wasn't the only domain Abloh aimed to shake up, as his unexpected collaboration with Ikea saw his pieces sell out instantly. From a brown paper twist on the brand's blue bags to a grey rug printed with the words "Keep Off," he even blew up an Ikea receipt and transformed it into a carpet.
IKEA
Hailey Bieber, a longtime fan of Abloh's, turned to the designer for one of the most significant dresses of her life: her wedding gown. The off-shoulder lace gown with its swooping back is believed to be the only wedding gown Abloh ever created and he snuck one of his design hallmarks into her trailing power veil, embroidering the words "Till Death Do Us Part" along its train.
Hailey Bieber, a longtime fan of Abloh's, turned to the designer for one of the most significant dresses of her life: her wedding gown. The off-shoulder lace gown with its swooping back is believed to be the only wedding gown Abloh ever created and he snuck one of his design hallmarks into her trailing power veil, embroidering the words "Till Death Do Us Part" along its train.
Instagram/Hailey Bieber

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Elections 2026
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • World Cup 2026
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Headlines
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account
Follow CNN Style

Download the CNN app
Download the CNN app

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Ad Choices Accessibility & CC About Newsletters Transcripts

© 2026 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.
CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from Google Play.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.