Virgil Abloh, Kanye West’s creative director and founder of Off-White, has been named the new artistic director of menswear at Louis Vuitton, The New York Times reports. “I feel elated,” Abloh told the Times. “In a way, all of my output has been to make a compelling case for me to take on a role such as this,” he added. “I think of it as kind of the ultimate collaboration.” Abloh noted that he will continue to run Off-White while holding his new position: “It is for the 17-year-old version of myself, whereas Vuitton is for the 37-year-old I am today.” According to The Times, Abloh was introduced to Michael Burke, chief executive of Louis Vuitton, roughly 12 years ago, while Abloh and Kanye were interning at Fendi, where Burke was chief executive.
The news will likely be appreciated by Kanye, who once proclaimed himself the “Louis Vuitton Don.” Earlier this year, Abloh launched an Off-White fall/winter line with a runway show soundtrack of Weezer and Tyler, the Creator.
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