In 2013, after having already worked for Fendi at the Italian label’s headquarters in Rome, Virgil Abloh (1980–2021) founded the Milan-based streetwear house Off-White, which is lauded for its hip collaborations and range of sneakers and shoes, shirts, hoodies and bags that are frequently emblazoned with bold graphics and the iconography of America’s metropolitan centers.
Four years later, Abloh released the first Off-White furniture line, Grey Area. In 2018, he became the artistic director of Louis Vuitton's menswear division, making him one of the first Black designers to head a French luxury fashion house. By the time he celebrated his 40th birthday, the Illinois native had, seemingly, triumphed in every corner of the fashion and home design worlds.
Yet even with the Off-White and Louis Vuitton jobs, Abloh had time for a seemingly endless list of collaborations: designing shoes for Nike and Jimmy Choo, making furniture for Vitra and Ikea (“a super-dream project”), creating art with Takashi Murakami and Jenny Holzer, dressing Serena Williams and Beyoncé, co-branding with Levi’s and Evian, deejaying at Coachella and Lollapalooza.
Growing up outside Chicago, the son of Ghanaian immigrants, Abloh was neither cool nor controversial. He was, he told the New York Times, “an average sort of suburban kid, born in 1980, into watching Michael Jordan or listening to Guns N’ Roses.” He learned about design, fabrication and color from his mother, a seamstress, and his father, a paint company manager. Abloh earned a master’s degree in architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where his thesis was a skyscraper that leans out over the Chicago River to maximize light and views.
Abloh's process was incredibly innovative — he explained that if he was inspired by an object, he didn’t want to alter it any more than necessary. “I’m only interested in editing an idea or a concept by three percent,” he said. Not surprisingly, he flirted with the limits of permissible appropriation. His first clothing line consisted of flannel Ralph Lauren shirts on which he printed the word “Pyrex.” (Abloh’s Pyrex Vision label would later become Off-White.)
And his collaboration with Vitra included a version of Jean Prouvé’s Antony chair that has Plexiglass where Prouvé used plywood. In 2017, the Belgian designer Raf Simons told GQ that Abloh’s work was unoriginal. A month later, Abloh presented an Off-White collection cheekily titled Nothing New.
Find vintage Off-White clothing on 1stDibs.
Off-White SS20 “Rete” White Lattice Maxi Dress with Neon Fringe, IT 38
By Off-White
Located in Woodland Hills, CA
Off-White SS20 “Rete” White Lattice Maxi Dress with Neon Fringe, IT 38 Description: From Virgil Abloh’s Spring/Summer 2020 Off-White™ collection, this rare “Rete” maxi dress is a mu...
OFF white, Floral maxi dress
By Off-White
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
OFF white, Floral maxi dress. The item is in good condition. Light stains on the chest. (2013) • CONDITION: good condition • SIZE: IT44 - M • MEASUREMEN...
Alaïa Ribbed Knit Mini Dress, Fall-Winter 1990-1991
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in Geneva, CH
This recognizable 90's Alaïa slim-fit viscose ribbed knit celadon mini dress is designed to flatteringly follow the line of the silhouette. The runway dress presented at the 1990-1991 Alaïa's Fall-Winter fashion show (look 74, see picture 8) was almost identical except for a few details such as that it was not ribbed. This unlined piece nips in at the waist and features a contrasting "mini-ribbed" scoop collar, wrists and hemline (see pictures 3, 9 & 11). Labeled a size M, the stretchy fabric will easily accommodate a small L size as well. Made in Italy. Worn in a different colorway by Nicole Richie during her book signing “The Truth about Diamonds” at Virgin Megastore in New York (see pictures 4, 5 & 6), the same dress was seen on Margot Robbie in the infamous “nursery scene” in The Wolf of Wall Street film (see pictures 12 & 13). Definitely a chic and versatile vintage must-have from Azzedine Alaïa ! Fabric contents : 93% Rayon, 5% Nylon & 2% Spandex (Elasthan). Fits approx. : US 2-8 (small US 8) / FR 36-40 (small FR 40) Measurements (taken flat and un-stretched) : Width (shoulder to shoulder) approx. 34 cm (13.4 inches) Width (from armpit to armpit) approx. 34 cm (13.4 inches) Waist approx. 23.5 cm (9.3 inches) Length (shoulder to hem) approx. 86.5 cm (34.1 inches) Sleeve length approx. 56.5 cm (22.2 inches) Total length approx. 91.5 cm (36 inches) This item has been professionally cleaned, pressed & carefully inspected by a couture-trained seamstress before being sold. Credit photos : Picture n° 8 -> unknown model via Vogue Runway / Condé Nast Archive at the Alaïa Fall-Winter 1990-1991 fashion...
CHLOE white cotton 2017 BRODERIE ANGLAISE VOILE TUNIC MINI Dress 38 S
By Chloé
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chloé babydoll tunic dress in white cotton voile (100%) with intricate embroidered broderie anglaise lace trim. This luxury Chloé dress features a fluid, romantic silh...
$1,895
Size: fits a XS or S
1985 AZZEDINE ALAIA off-white linen dress with elasticized waist & cut out back
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in San Fransisco, CA
A very rare off-white linen dress designed by Azzedine Alaia dating to spring 1985. This dress is cut with his characteristic focus on the body. The silhouette is clean and close thr...
CHANEL cream viscose 24P TEXTURED KNIT MINI Dress 40 M
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel dress in white textured knit crafted from viscose (75%), cotton (17%), polyamide (7%) and elastane (1%), finished with contrasting black rib-knit trims that fra...
Jean Paul Gaultier Victorian Style Sheer Organdy Dress
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in New York, NY
Jean Paul Gaultier Victorian Style Sheer Organdy Dress
CHANEL cream pink blue silk 07C GRAFFITI TWEED Dress 38 S
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Chanel dress features a striking blend of textures and playful color. The fitted, sleeveless top is crafted in cream crepe silk (100%) with an allover graffiti-st...
CHANEL white cotton blend 2012 12P RIB-KNIT TRUMPET Dress 38 S
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel rib-knit dress in off-white cotton (81%) and nylon (19%). Features an elegant trumpet silhouette with a flattering above-the-knee length that moves beautifully ...
CHANEL black & white cotton 14P FRINGE TRIM TWEED Dress 42 L
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel dress in black and white tweed composed of cotton (74%), polyamide (17%) and paper (9%), featuring contrasting white and black woven textured tweed at the bust ...
Mary Katrantzou Winding River Drive Dress UK 10 / US 6
By Mary Katrantzou
Located in Brossard, QC
This shirt dress is kept feminine with a nipped-in waist to emphasise the full skirt. Buttoned front. Fully lined. 95% polyester, 5% elastane. Lining: 100% polyester. Specialist clea...
AKRIS ivory wool OPEN WEAVE GAUZE HIGH NECK Dress 38 M
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Akris lattice-like stand-up collar long-sleeve gauze dress in off-white wool (100%). Opens with a concealed zipper on the back. Comes with s...
ULLA JOHNSON white & black cotton 2022 KLEA CORD MIDI Dress 2 S
By Ulla Johnson
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Ulla Johnson Klea dress in black cotton showcases intricate white hand-woven cord embroidery, adding a touch of artisanal elegance. Designed in a flattering fit-a...
CHANEL multi cotton 24P LUREX STRIPED CROCHET KNIT Dress 38 S
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel dress in beige, cream, black and pink crochet knit composed of cotton (60%), viscose (20%), metalled fibre (12%), polyamide (4%) and polyester (4%), woven with ...
Off White Virgil Abloh Multi Botanical Silk Shirt Dress
By Virgil Abloh, Off-White
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Introducing the Off-White Virgil Abloh Multi Botanical Silk Shirt Dress – the epitome of contemporary fashion and style. This exquisite wrap-style shirt dress is a true work of art, meticulously crafted to captivate the eye and elevate your wardrobe to new heights. Immerse yourself in the world of nature with the vibrant botanical print that adorns this dress from top to bottom. Each leaf and flower comes to life, creating a mesmerizing tapestry of colors and patterns that celebrate the beauty of the natural world. Show your love of Off-White off with pride as the iconic Off White logos...
Off-White Silver Sequined Sleeveless Evening Dress
By Off-White
Located in New York, NY
Product details: Silver metallic sleeveless evening dress by Off-White. V-neck. Sequin embellishments throughout. 29" bust, 28" waist, 52" length. Condition: Pre-owned. Very good. Es...