Who Is Virgil Abloh and Why Is Everyone in Fashion Obsessed With Him?

So who is Virgil Abloh? This is a question you're going to be asking yourself a lot in 2016 because any fashion insider you may come into contact with—whether physically or via the ingenious medium of social media and on editorials sites such as this—is going to be talking about him. That's why we're here to provide the answers early on.

So take it as gospel that DJ/designer/fashion darling Virgil Abloh is achingly hip, and keep reading to see all of the reasons why…

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Reason #1: He is the founder of Milan-based fashion label Off-White. 
(Image credit: Style du Monde)

Set up in 2014, this relatively new brand has found major footing amongst the artistos of the streetwear circuit. However, it is about to hit the mainstream with influential stores such as Net-a-Porter looking to stock the brand for next season.

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(Image credit: The Urban Spotter)

In fact, every A/W 16 press day we go to, buyers are singing the praises of Abloh's unisex-friendly bombers, bikers, jeans and sweatshirts, but he does also have a dedicated women's line under the Off-White umbrella. So while his current fan club is predominantly male and highly snobby about their garms, you can bet your bottom dollar cool girls the globe over will be wearing his wares come fashion week time in September.

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Reason #2: He's Kanye West's creative director.
(Image credit: The Urban Spotter)

Yes, really. So aside from the marketing genius that is KW, Virgil is the man behind many a Yeezy success story. Combined, these two certainly know the power of a brand's image and signatures—something that Off-White has also mastered in the instantly recognisable barcode-like stripes emblazoned across anything and everything, from silver-foil anoraks to fuzzy backpacks.

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(Image credit: The Urban Spotter)

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(Image credit: The Urban Spotter)

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With over 537k followers on his personal Instagram account (@virgilabloh), and over 362k on Off-White's brand account (@off____white), Virgil's reach is very big. Plus, he spends a lot of time on social media, so there's always something new to discover via his experiences.

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Reason #4: He has great personal style.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Of course he does! Abloh told GQ that his version of Louis Vuitton is cult-favourite streetwear label Supreme. But we're pretty certain he's got plenty of Vuitton in that wardrobe too…

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Travelling from city to city, Abloh's schedule of DJing and designing is understandably chock-full. But he keeps in touch with his super-fans on Instagram (@virgilabloh) and is apparently addicted to Whatsapp.

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That includes a very discerning Mr J.W.Anderson, which says a lot about the cred that comes with owning something from Off-White.

So what should you buy from Off-White? Scroll down to shop our edit of the best pieces…

Hannah Almassi
Editor in Chief

Hannah Almassi is the editor in chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits.

Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.