Virgil Abloh's final Louis Vuitton collection to be presented 'per his wishes'

Virgil Abloh's final menswear collection for Louis Vuitton will be unveiled this week.

A spokesperson for the fashion designer announced on Sunday that he had died at the age of 41 following a secret battle with cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. In light of the sad news, Louis Vuitton chairman and chief executive officer, Michael Burke, shared that Abloh's spring-summer 2022 line will be presented in Miami on the evening of 30 November.

"It is with profound sorrow that I learned of the passing of Virgil Abloh. Virgil was not only a friend, great collaborator, creative genius, visionary, and disruptor, but also one of the best cultural communicators of our times. He paved the way for future generations. As a devoted supporter of his community through his charities and passions, he was an eternal optimist who believed anything was possible," he commented. "In this same spirit, we at Louis Vuitton will proudly continue to celebrate his legacy with a final show in Miami, per his wishes. I am honoured to have called him my friend. My deepest thoughts are with his wife, children, parents, family, and the entire community that was touched by his greatness."

Burke didn't share any further details about the presentation.

However, a number of celebrities are expected to be in attendance, with many already paying tribute to the fashion star on social media.

"Virgil Abloh was a true creative talent, an artist in every sense. His impact on the world through fashion, art, and culture was great. Virgil changed the landscape of American fashion with his groundbreaking Off-White label and broke barriers as the first Black artistic director of Louis Vuitton. He will forever hold a place in history," commented Tom Ford, while Burberry's Riccardo Tisci added: "I'll always remember the kind young guy, who stayed humble to the whole world even though he was able to visualize and read the world itself! Fly high and keep shining in Heaven my dear Virgil!"

Abloh, who also co-founded streetwear label Off-White, is survived by his wife Shannon Sundberg and their two children.