Being a “bridge”: Virgil Abloh

Virgil Abloh via Instagram

Virgil Abloh is often described as much more than a fashion designer. He was a true “bridge”, a connection between cultures, disciplines, and generations. Not only did he leave a mark on the industry with his groundbreaking approach, but he also impacted people on a personal level, inspiring both his collaborators and those close to him.

Observing the constant tributes he continues to receive, such as those from Drake, I asked myself: has celebrating Virgil Abloh become a trend, or did this man truly possess something unique? For those who don’t know, he was the founder of Off-White and served as the artistic director of Louis Vuitton from 2018 to 2021. Before that, he was a key collaborator with Kanye West, playing a crucial role in his creative universe.

But why has his absence left such a profound void? This void in the fashion industry has sparked much debate. But has this void not always existed? In my opinion, it has, and Virgil was the bridge that filled it. But how?

Recently, I watched an episode of Kerwin Frost Talks with Complex. The guests were Tremaine Emory, Bloody Osiris, and A$AP Nast. For over 50 minutes, they paid tribute to the late icon. It felt like they were speaking about a mythical figure. The word “genuine” came up repeatedly, emphasizing the importance of authenticity.

We live in a world where solidarity and authenticity are rare and often costly. What creates this void is precisely the lack of solidarity and authenticity among us. Many chase “fake popularity”, which is neither authentic nor natural. First and foremost, as human beings, we should respect one another, especially when we work in the same field or industry. As creatives, we must move forward together because we need each other.

Jean Pierre’s take on the subject:

This idea of being a “bridge” reminds me of the alphabet. Each letter has its own uniqueness, but when they come together, they form syllables, words, and eventually beautiful stories full of meaning. So why trying to accomplish everything alone? It’s a false perception of success. You can start alone, but at some point, teamwork becomes essential to achieve something powerful. Another way to approach things would be to stay solo, focused only on your own ideas and ambitions, but that often limits the impact and reach that collaboration can offer. Virgil summed it up perfectly when he said, “Teamwork makes the dream work”, one of the most relevant pieces of advice he ever gave.