Louis Vuitton Hires Kanye Collaborator Virgil Abloh as Artistic Director of Menswear

Louis Vuitton has announced today that Virgil Abloh is joining the brand as its new Artistic Director of Menswear (opens in new tab).

Abloh is the founder of Off-White (opens in new tab), and is also Kanye West's Creative Director (opens in new tab) and longtime collaborator. West and Abloh also interned together at Fendi in 2006.

Abloh is set to show his first collection for Louis Vuitton during Men's Fashion Week (opens in new tab) in Paris in June.

In a statement regarding Abloh's new role, CEO of Louis Vuitton, Michael Burke, said (via WWD (opens in new tab)):

"Having followed with great interest Virgil’s ascent since he worked with me at Fendi in 2006, I am thrilled to see how his innate creativity and disruptive approach have made him so relevant, not just in the world of fashion but in popular culture today. His sensibility towards luxury and savoir-faire will be instrumental in taking Louis Vuitton’s menswear into the future.

Of his new role with Louis Vuitton, Abloh said (via WWD (opens in new tab)), "It is an honor for me to accept the position of men’s artistic director for Louis Vuitton. I find the heritage and creative integrity of the house are key inspirations and will look to reference them both while drawing parallels to modern times."

According to Bloomberg (opens in new tab), "While Abloh has kept quiet regarding his work for West, he rose to prominence in the fashion industry as a consultant for the rapper," advising and collaborating with him on Yeezy, as well as music releases.

Speaking to The Guardian (opens in new tab) in March 2018, Abloh said of his Off-White label, "My brand started in the streets and the alleys of the internet–I come from a different school of thought about clothing. I understand people see it as fashion. To me, this is an art practice."