Remembering Virgil Abloh

Virgil Abloh

1980 - 2021

We are grieved by the loss of Virgil Abloh — fashion industry luminary, cultural icon, esteemed FSF Board colleague, and figure of inspiration to us, our Scholars, and so many others.   

Virgil came to the Fashion Scholarship Fund two years ago. We had the privilege of being his partner in establishing the Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund, helping identify promising undergraduates of Black, African-American, or African descent and supporting their aspirations to make a mark on the fashion industry. Our partnership gave us a unique opportunity to witness Virgil’s brilliance and generosity. He gave endlessly of himself despite a punishing schedule and the impressive scope of his many endeavors. He encouraged his partners to create internships and other opportunities and threw himself into efforts to raise funds. He made himself available not only to the inaugural group of 20 “Post-Modern” Scholars but also to the hundreds of undergraduates who joined the virtual Campus Town Halls he asked us to host. He would keep these sessions open, sometimes for hours, as students sought his individual attention: urging them to share one more thought, one more creation, one more personal influence. His capacity to connect and to inspire was boundless. 

At a time when many have sought to advance equity and inclusion in the fashion industry, Virgil made a direct and immeasurable impact. It was Virgil’s dream to identify, connect with, and support, as he often said, the “17-year-old version” of himself. Out there are many young adults who deserve the chance and the “way in” he was committed to providing. The Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund, and the generation of future Scholars the Fashion Scholarship Fund will support, are our opportunity to carry out the personal legacy Virgil designed and built with focus and determination. 

To Virgil’s wife and children, his sister and parents, his many friends, colleagues, and all those to whom he meant so much: the FSF community of Scholars and Alumni, educators and industry partners, Board and staff, join together in extending our condolences. 

Peter Arnold, Executive Director