Top image: courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton has named Virgil Abloh its new menswear artistic director, with his first show taking place at Men’s Fashion Week in Paris this June.

Succeeding Kim Jones, who recently took the creative helm at Dior Homme, Abloh said: “It is an honor for me to accept the position of men’s artistic director for Louis Vuitton. I find the heritage and creative integrity of the House are key inspirations and will look to reference them both while drawing parallels to modern times.”

Despite having no formal fashion education, the Illinois-born designer has seen his stock rise considerably since founding Off-White in 2012. A long-time creative director for Kanye West – and trained architect and engineer – Abloh’s design codes are informed by a sleek mix of streetwear and luxury, while incorporating art, music and graphic design into his work.

A post shared by @virgilabloh on Mar 25, 2018 at 9:43pm PDT

“Having followed with great interest Virgil’s ascent since he worked with me at Fendi in 2006, I am thrilled to see how his innate creativity and disruptive approach have made him so relevant, not just in the world of fashion but in popular culture today,” said Michael Burke, Louis Vuitton’s Chairman & CEO – the pair first met twelve years ago when Abloh interned at Fendi with Kanye West for six months. “His sensibility towards luxury and savoir-faire will be instrumental in taking Louis Vuitton’s menswear into the future.” 

Abloh will continue in his role with OFF-WHITE while holding down the Louis Vuitton role.

@VirgilAbloh joins #LouisVuitton. Louis Vuitton is delighted to welcome Virgil Abloh as its new Men’s Artistic Director. His first show will take place in June during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris.

A post shared by Louis Vuitton Official (@louisvuitton) on Mar 25, 2018 at 11:00pm PDT