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.
$435Sale Price|25% Off
OFF WHITE Virgil Abloh 2019 Runway neon yellow leather wide leg pants IT40 S
By Virgil Abloh, Off-White
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OFF WHITE Virgil Abloh 2019 Runway neon yellow leather wide leg pants IT40 S Reference: TGAS/D00710 Brand: Off White Designer: Virgil Abloh Collection: SS2019 Look 43 - Runway Mater...
$76Sale Price|60% Off
OFF WHITE C/O VIRGIL ABLOH black denim logo pin frayed hem wide culotte jeans XS
By Off-White, Virgil Abloh
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OFF WHITE C/O VIRGIL ABLOH black denim logo pin frayed hem wide culotte jeans XS Reference: ANWU/A00545 Brand: Off White Designer: Virgil Abloh Material: Feels like cotton Color: Bla...
OFF-WHITE purple 2017 SATIN-TRIM CRUSHED VELVET TRACK Pants 36 XXS
By Off-White
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic OFF-WHITE satin-trim crushed velvet track pants in purple, black and grey cotton (82%) and silk (18%). Features Off-White logo embroidery, two zippers at the hem and ...
$232Sale Price|20% Off
OFF-WHITE Size 31 Black Washed Cotton Elastic Waistband Jeans
By Off-White
Located in San Francisco, CA
OFF-WHITE jeans in a black washed cotton denim featuring a five pockets style, tapered leg, and elastic waistband with zip fly closure. Made in Italy.Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. M...
Off-White Black Denim Logo Print Skinny Jeans Size M
By Off-White
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to the denim jeans is evident. Minimal wear to the upper back below the waistband where light discolouration is visible on this used Off-White de...
New Off-White Denim Men Jeans Size 32
By Off-White
Located in Kaunas, LT
100% genuine Off-White Denim Men Jeans, NCODE Color: Blue (An actual color may a bit vary due to individual computer screen interpretation) Material: 100% cotton Tag size: 32, inseam...
Off-White White Mesh Tape Joggers Size M
By Off-White
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Never worn, with tags. Due to poor storage of the trousers, wear is evident to the front of the left trouser leg where a mark is visible above the knee on this new Off-W...
1980S Cotton Lilly P Style Bright Floral Jumpsuit Romper
Located in New York, NY
1980S Cotton Lilly P Style Bright Floral Jumpsuit Romper
Alexander McQueen S/S 2009 Crystal Kaleidoscope Skeleton Print Leggings XS
By Alexander McQueen
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Alexander McQueen for the Spring Summer 2009 "Natural Dis-tinction, Un-Natural Selection" collection. Features the now iconic skeleton print formed by a symmetric crystal...
NWT's FENDI 2000 Vintage Runway Ad Campaign Lime Green Pants
By Fendi
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Fendi by Karl Lagerfeld SS00 Vintage Runway Ad Campaign Green silk ruffle with vibrant multicolor paint splatter (and ombre effect) over the brand's classic tonal brown Zucca pattern...
Rare Gucci Floral brocade pants -1970s-style similar worn by Harry Styles .
By Gucci
Located in KRAKÓW, PL
Gucci Floral brocade pants -1970s-style. Male version worn by Harry Styles You can find matching blazer in my other listing; Here you are buying trousers -the set looks phenome...
New Yves Saint Laurent YSL 2006 Silk Culottes Skirt Pants Sz Fr36
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Yves Saint Laurent New Without Tags FR36 100% Sheer Double Layered Silk Black High Waist Fit Culottes Evening Skirt Pants 3 Button Closure Hidden Zipper Two Hidden Side Pockets Wais...
New Gucci Wool & Silk Runway Pants F / W 2005 Sz 44
By Gucci
Located in Conroe, TX
Gucci Pants New Without Tags Black & Velvet Pants Combo Wool & Silk Italian Sz 44 Black Velvet Hip Accents Zip & Hook Closure Waist: 33" Hip: 41" Rise: 8" Inseam: 32.5" Leg Open...
1992 Gianni Versace Bondage Black Wool Jumpsuit with Medallions
By Gianni Versace
Located in New York, NY
Iconic 1992 Gianni Versace Black Wool and Silk Jumpsuit with original tags. Features Silk Faille Bands over Embroidered Net Bodice; Gold-tone Medallion Accents with inset Amber Color...
Christian Dior embellished lime green wool evening pants, fw 2005
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
Christian Dior by John Galliano lime green wool evening pants embellished with beads and sequins Fall-Winter 2005
Ralph Lauren Silk pants size 44
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Gazzaniga (BG), IT
Ralph Lauren Collection Silk Green color No pockets Total length cm 108 (354 inches) Waist cm 42 (1653 inches) US size 8 italian 42/44 Original price euro 700
Gianni Versace Couture Andy Warhol Screen Printed Legging, c.1990
By Gianni Versace Couture
Located in New York, NY
Gianni Versace Couture Andy Warhol Screen Printed Legging, c.1990. Gianni Versace high waisted leggings fashioned of silk and lycra spandex f...
Christian Dior John Galliano Leather Cargo Buckle Pants
By Christian Dior
Located in Amsterdam, NH
Christian Dior John Galliano Leather Cargo Buckle Pants Size 36 Beautiful Christian Dior by John Galliano leather cargo buckle pants in a size 36 . In gr...
Dolce & Gabbana Safety Pin Jeans
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Glasgow, GB
Safety pin jeans from Dolce & Gabbana. Light wash denim skinny jeans embellished with safety pins fastening frayed rips up the front and reverse of jeans. Slight faded effect around ...
Off-White Black Zipped Stretch Leggings Size S
By Off-White
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very Good. Hardly any visible wear the trousers is evident on this used Off-White designer resale item. Details Black Viscose Leggings High ...
Off-White Beige Drawstring Joggers Size XXS
By Off-White
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Hardly any visible wear to the joggers is evident on this used Off-White designer resale item. Details Beige Cotton Joggers Elasticated w...
Off-White White Printed Logo Joggers Size XXS
By Off-White
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Never worn, with tags. No visible wear to trousers is evident on this new Off-White designer resale item. Details White Cotton Joggers Elasticated c...
OFF WHITE C/O VIRGIL ABLOH black denim logo pin frayed hem wide culotte jeans XS
By Off-White
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OFF WHITE C/O VIRGIL ABLOH black denim logo pin frayed hem wide culotte jeans XS Reference: ANWU/A00545 Brand: Off White Designer: Virgil Abloh Material: Feels like cotton Color: Bla...
Off-White Grey Checked Wide Trousers Size XS
By Off-White
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to trousers is evident. Minimal wear to the rear waistband lining with light discolouration on this used Off-Whitedesigner resale item. Details Grey Cotton Trousers Red and pink tartan...
Off-White Blue Denim Sequin Embellished Jumpsuit Size M
By Off-White
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to jumpsuit is evident. Minimal wear to the embellishment with warping to the sequins on this used Off-White designer resale item. Details Blue...
Off-White Black Stretch Zip Detail Logo Leggings Size S
By Off-White
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Hardly any visible wear to leggings is evident on this used Off-White designer resale item. Details Black Cotton Leggings Stretchy Logo pr...
OFF Virgil Abloh 2019 Runway neon yellow genuine leather wide leg pants IT40 S
By Off-White, Virgil Abloh
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OFF WHITE Virgil Abloh 2019 Runway neon yellow genuine leather wide leg pants IT40 S Reference: TGAS/D00710 Brand: Off White Designer: Virgil Abloh Collection: SS2019 Look 43 - Runwa...
Off-White Grey Checked Wide Leg Trousers Size XS
By Off-White
Located in London, GB
CONDITION is Very good. Minimal wear to trousers is evident. Minimal discolouration to back of trouser which may need to be hand washed on this used Off-White designer resale item. Details Grey Cotton Trousers Red and pink tartan...
OFF WHITE C/O VIRGIL ABLOH black logo mechanic pocket boxy romper IT40 S
By Off-White, Virgil Abloh
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OFF WHITE C/O VIRGIL ABLOH black logo mechanic pocket boxy romper IT40 S Reference: CAWG/A00237 Brand: Off White Designer: Virgil Abloh Material: Polyester Color: Black Pattern: Soli...
OFF WHITE C/O VIRGIL ABLOH black denim logo pin frayed hem wide culotte jeans XS
By Off-White
Located in Hong Kong, NT
OFF WHITE C/O VIRGIL ABLOH black denim logo pin frayed hem wide culotte jeans XS Brand: Off White Material: Feels like cotton Color: Black Pattern: Solid Closure: Zip Fly Extra Detai...
Off White Washed Gray Distressed Denim Striped Back Slim Jeans
By Off-White, Virgil Abloh
Located in San Francisco, CA
Off-white By Virgil Abloh jeans come in washed gray denim with distressing throughout, webbing patches at hem,slim fit legs, and signature stripe printed back panels. Minor wear thro...