What kind of cancer did Off-White designer Virgil Abloh have?
FASHION designer Virgil Abloh sadly passed away in late November 2021 after silently battling cancer for two years.
The 41-year-old was an artistic director at Louis Vuitton and the founder of Off-White.
What kind of cancer did Off-White designer Virgil Abloh have?
According to a statement released by Virgil Abloh‘s team, the noted fashion designer passed away from a rare form of cancer known as cardiac angiosarcoma.
He was 41 years old at the time of his passing.
Alongside a photo posted to his Instagram account, the caption read: “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.”
LVMH, the French corporation with holdings in multiple luxury brands including Louis Vuitton and Off-White, also released a statement following the announcement of his death.
“We are all shocked after this terrible news,” said Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH.
“Virgil was not only a genius designer, a visionary, he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom.
“The LVMH family joins me in this moment of great sorrow, and we are all thinking of his loved ones after the passing of their husband, their father, their brother or their friend.”
Known for his modern take on the world of fashion, Virgil worked closely with fellow Chicago native Kanye West over the years.
What is cardiac angiosarcoma?
Cardiac angiosarcoma is cancer of the heart, which can grow tumors on the outside surface or inside the heart’s chambers or tissues.
Angiosarcomas often form in the upper right chamber of the heart and block blood flow from coming in and out of the chamber.
The blockages can cause swelling, oftentimes in the legs, feet, or abdomen; the veins in one’s neck may also expand or swell.
This tumor can also cause fluid to collect in the sac that surrounds the heart, resulting in symptoms like shortness of breath or heart palpitations.
Common side effects of cardiac angiosarcoma include facial swelling, weight loss, fever, or sometimes even a stroke.
One of the rarest forms of cancer, cardiac angiosarcomas are often difficult to treat and spread easily throughout one’s body.
Who was Virgil Abloh?
Abloh was born in Illinois on September 30, 1980, to his parents, Nee and Eunice.
He was both a studied architect and prominent fashion designer.
He received his Masters of Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 2006, where he also began designing clothes.
Virgil went on to intern at Fendi alongside Kanye West, where the two developed a close and collaborative friendship.
After working with Kanye at DONDA and on Watch the Throne, Virgil launched his first company: Pyrex Vision.
The following year, he closed down Pyrex. In 2013, he founded fashion house Off-White, which specializes in high-end streetwear.
After years of success, Virgil was appointed as the artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear ready-to-wear line in 2018.
Virgil also worked closely with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, and has had multiple exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.
When he was in high school, Virgil started DJing.
He continued this gig throughout the remainder of his life, launching radio shows on Apple Music and Worldwide FM.
Was Virgil Abloh married?
After knowing each other since high school, Virgil and his wife, Shannon, married in 2009.
They have two children together, Grey and Lowe.
In 2020, he launched the Virgil Abloh “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund, raising over $ 1 million designated for scholarships.
Since Virgil’s death, Shannon has taken on the roles of chief executive and managing director at Virgil Abloh Securities.