Kanye is reportedly lined up to step in as Louis Vuitton's new artistic director for menswear after his longtime pal Virgil Abloh lost a secret battle with cancer.
- December 10, 2021
AceShowbiz - A successor for Virgil Abloh has reportedly been found. According to The Sun, Kanye West is "being lined up" to replace the late designer as the artistic director for menswear at the top brand Louis Vuitton.
"Kanye is devastated about Virgil's death because they had been friends for years and worked together a lot," a source said. "They shared a similar vision and now Kanye feels he owes it to Virgil to continue his work at Louis Vuitton."
Rumor has it, Virgil approved of the plan. The insider claimed the Off-White founder, in fact, discussed it with the "Jesus Is King" hitmaker, who has already made a name for himself in fashion industry with his Adidas Yeezy shoe line, before his death.
Virgil Abloh passed away at the age of 41 in late November. He died after secretly battling cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare, aggressive form of cancer, for two years. He was laid to rest in Chicago on December 6. Kanye was in attendance along with Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Tyler, the Creator, and Lauryn Hill.
Kanye and Virgil were close pals. Before becoming Louis Vuitton's first black artistic director, Virgil served as Kanye's longtime creative director. He got involved when Kanye released 2011's "Watch the Throne", his collaborative album with Jay-Z.
One day after Virgil's passing, Kanye paid tribute to his late friend at Sunday Service. His choir performed a rendition of Adele's "Easy On Me" to honor the fashion trailblazer.
Kanye's estranged wife Kim also paid a touching tribute to the designer. "Virgil- you were always so gentle, kind and calm," she wrote on Instagram. "You somehow made time for everyone. We also talked about your superpower of calmness often. You always gave so much of yourself to the world because you wanted it to be doper. This one is hard to process. I can't even believe I am writing this…"
She added, "We will miss you so much Virgil and love you so much. Also I would love to send so much love to his wife Shannon. Because you loved and supported Virgil the way that you did, he was able to give so much of himself everyone else. So thank you truly for sharing him with us the way that you did. Virgil's legacy will live on forever through [wife] Shannon, [children] Lowe and Grey."
