Celebrities React to Designers Death After Cancer Battle
Donatella Versace said the world lost a “fashion superstar.”
A post shared by Donatella Versace (@donatella_versace)
Donatella Versace, Vice President of Italian designer house Versace, wrote that she was “lost for words” to learn of Abloh’s death.
Captioning a photo of the pair alongside model Naomi Campbell, Versace said the founder of Off-White was an “innovator.”
“A creator for the history books. I am thinking of all your loved ones on this tragic day. Love, Donatella,” she added.
Hailey Bieber said Abloh changed the way she “looked at street style and fashion.”
Hailey Bieber, who commissioned Abloh to design her gown for her 2019 wedding to Justin Bieber, called the designer “a once in a generation creative mind that is so rare,” in a tribute post on Instagram.
Hailey posted a never-before-seen photo of herself and Abloh during a dress fitting, and shared how grateful she was to have met him. “From walking on his runways to having him design my wedding dress and all the other amazing moments in between, I felt he was always rooting for me,” she added.
Drake said he planned to “touch the sky” 1,000 more times in honor of Abloh.
A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi)
“My plan is to touch the sky 1000 more times for you,” Drake wrote in an Instagram tribute to his friend Abloh.
The rapper also wrote: “Love you eternally brother,” before thanking him “for everything.”
His post included a series of photos of the pair and finished with an image of his Abloh custom-designed private plane.
Kanye West dedicated Donda Live to Abloh.
Kanye West posted a tribute to Abloh on his website, Donda Live. It read: “In loving memory of Virgil Abloh, the creative director of Donda.”
Abloh and West worked closely together for years — the fashion creator designed the artwork for the rapper’s 2007 album, “Graduation,” and later earned a Grammy nomination for creating the artistic vision for West and Jay-Z’s 2011 album, “Watch the Throne, Insider previously reported.
Marc Jacobs sent his condolences to Abloh’s loved ones.
A post shared by Marc Jacobs (@themarcjacobs)
Fellow designer and creative Marc Jacobs shared a tribute to Abloh on his Instagram page. He sent his condolences to Abloh’s loved ones, family, friends, and coworkers.
“Rest In Peace and in Power dear Virgil,” Jacobs wrote. “Gone way too soon. Thank you for all you have given us.”
Gigi Hadid called Abloh a “true supernova.”
Gigi Hadid captioned a series of personal Instagram photos of herself and Abloh with a heartfelt message.
“His kindness and energetic generosity left a lasting impression on every life he touched — he made everyone feel seen and special,” the model wrote. “He will be deeply missed, cherished, and celebrated by me and all the people and industries that have been lucky enough to work around & know the true supernova behind this man.”
Kendall Jenner said Abloh’s private cancer battle explained the type of person he was: “He never wanted anyone to worry about him.”
Kendall Jenner took to Instagram to share her own tribute to Abloh. She said people who had the privilege of knowing him were some of the “lucky ones.”
“V taught me and all of us a very important lesson, although he knew he had only so long, he was bright, he was kind & he was full of love,” Jenner wrote. “We all need a little bit of Virgil in us. He leaves us with his influence, to create and change the world.”
Poet Amanda Gorman called meeting Abloh “an honor” and shared a photo of a dress she wore that he designed and was inspired by his grandmother.
A post shared by Amanda Gorman (@amandascgorman)
Amanda Gorman, poet laureate, said Abloh’s “talent and soul will be sorely missed” in an Instagram tribute post.
Gorman included a photo from her Vogue cover shoot where she wore a dress designed by Abloh in honor of his grandmother.
“I count myself so privileged to have met you and to have worn such a beautiful piece by you designed in honor of your grandmother,” she wrote. “I knew then I was experiencing the honor of wearing a designer whose work transcends both past and present.”
Dior Artistic Director Kim Jones called Abloh “one of the kindest people you could meet.”
British designer and artistic director of Dior Menswear, Kim Jones, said Abloh was “one of the kindest people you could meet” in an Instagram tribute.
“Many great times spent traveling the world and hanging out in hotel rooms working on the floor and going through Japanese magazines and laughing and talking about ideas,” Jones wrote, before sharing that his thoughts are with Abloh’s family and his wife Shannon.
Bella Hadid said Abloh “was someone for everyone.”
Model Bella Hadid took to Instagram to share her thoughts on Abloh’s death. She said he “made every person he came across feel special in whatever way he possibly could.”
“Even when the world felt sad, he brought laughter and color and beauty. The way he made a positive impact on anything he touched, and always pushed for his culture/the world is the reason why he was an angel on earth and one to so many,” Bella wrote. “The most beautiful warrior soul.”
Pharrell Williams called Abloh a “thoughtful creative genius.”
Singer and fashion designer Pharell Williams called Abloh a “kind, generous, thoughtful creative genius” in a tribute post on Twitter.
“Your work as a human and your work as a spiritual being will live forever,” he wrote. “Sending love and light to your wife, children, family and day ones.”
“You’re with the Master now, shine,” Williams added.
Idris Elba posted a black square on his Instagram.
British actor Idris Elba posted a blank black square to his Instagram page and captioned it “Virgil” in honor of the designer.
He shared more on Twitter, writing: “Too soon Virgil. You will be missed from this world man.”