Take a look back at his illustrious career at Off-White and at the helm of Louis Vuitton Men's.

The <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/fashion-world-pays-tribute-virgil-abloh-passing-off-white-louis-vuitton" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fashion world</a> lost one of its most innovative designers in 2021 with the passing of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/virgil-abloh-dead-at-41-from-cancer-louis-vuitton-mens-designer-off-white" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Virgil Abloh</a>. His family announced Abloh's private battle with cancer on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CW1FDd4oXan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram</a>, writing "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."
Before his death, Abloh served as CEO of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/virgil-abloh-off-white-spring-summer-2021-buy-now-imaginary-tv" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Off-White</a>, the brand he founded in 2012, and as Creative Director for <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/men/virgil-abloh-louis-vuitton-mens-spring-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Louis Vuitton</a> menswear, becoming the first Black creative to lead a major fashion house. His career pushed streetwear and hypebeast aesthetics into the realm of high fashion.
Abloh redefined the job of a designer, self-identifying instead as a "maker," with projects spanning fashion, furniture, art, and music.&nbsp;His death came two days before he was set to show <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/louis-vuitton-holiday-campaign-2021-roman-coppola" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Louis Vuitton</a>'s <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/virgil-abloh-final-runway-louis-vuitton-mens-miami-tribute-show" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spring/Summer 2022 men's collection in Miami</a>, along with 10 new looks explicitly designed for the event.
In honor of what would have been Abloh's 45th birthday, take a look back at some of his most iconic runway moments and pieces.&nbsp;

At Off-White's Fall/Winter 2016 men's show, Abloh debuts the soon-to-be favorite belt of the year. Getty Images.

Abloh's signature street style aesthetics and deconstructed sneakers can already be seen at the Spring/Summer 2018 menswear show. Getty Images.

An early supporter of the brand, Naomi Campbell closes Off-White's Spring/Summer 2018 runway. Getty Images.

By the Fall/Winter 2018 men's show, Abloh's aesthetic is fully realized, including his trademark quotations. Getty Images.

Bella Hadid, a favorite of the brand, opens the Fall/Winter 2018 women's show. Getty Images.

At the Spring/Summer 2019 show, Abloh begins experimenting with asymmetry and sport elements. Getty Images.

During the brand's Spring/Summer 2019 runway, Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner take a synced-up walk. Getty Images.

On the Fall/Winter 2020 runway, Gigi Hadidi wears a hybrid windbreaker and dress. Getty Images.

Off-White brings street-level graffiti to the runway at its Spring/Summer 2020 menswear show.  Getty Images.

For Spring/Summer 2021, Abloh brings the COVID mask onto the runway. Getty Images.

In 2018, Off-White released a limited edition collaboration with Air Jordan to create the "Off-White x Nike Air Jordan 1 NRG 'Revealing.' Getty Images

At Abloh's first Louis Vuitton outing, the Spring/Summer 2019 collection, he debuts a harness, a subsequent favorite of male celebrities. Getty Images.

Abloh and longtime collaborator Kanye West share a tearful hug on the runway following Abloh's first Louis Vuitton show. Getty Images.

Alton Mason backflips down Louis Vuitton's Fall/Winter 2019 menswear runway. Getty Images.

Abloh does avant-garde outerwear for the Fall/Winter 2019 menswear collection. Getty Images.

Abloh continues to play with the concept of menswear at the Spring/Summer 2020 runway show. Getty Images.

Abloh is self-referential, a strength of the designer, on the Spring/Summer 2020 runway.  Getty Images.

Abloh's sharp tailoring is on display at the Fall/Winter 2020 runway. Getty Images.

For Louis Vuitton's Fall/Winter 2021 menswear collection, Abloh channels air travel aesthetics. Getty Images.

Abloh is relentlessly playful for Spring/Summer 2021 menswear. Getty Images.

At Louis Vuitton's Spring/Summer 2022 runway, Abloh continues pushing boundaries. Getty Images.

From his debut collection, Abloh released the Holographic Duffel Bag that would go on to be viral on social media. Getty Images.

Virgil Abloh's Most Iconic Fashion Moments

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