Virgil Abloh’s memorial service was held on Monday in his hometown of Chicago at the Museum of Contemporary Art, with a slew of stars in attendance to honour the late fashion visionary.
A-listers and close friends of the Louis Vuitton and Off-White designer including Kanye West, Kim Kardashian Rihanna, Drake and more all gathered to pay their respect nine days after his passing.
Abloh tragically passed on Sunday, November 28 at the age of 41 following a private battle with cardiac angiosarcoma and had sought a number treatments before his death.
News of his death was announced by loved ones in a heartbreaking Instagram post.
A beautiful life: A-listers and close friends of the late Virgil Abloh including Kanye West, Kim Kardashian Rihanna, Drake and more all gathered to pay their respect at his memorial service on Monday held at the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art; Abloh’s sister Edwina is seen eulogizing her brother
There was not a dry eye in the room as celebrities, family and friends gathered at 12PM on December 6 to celebrate the life of Abloh in a large room which was adorned with several extravagant floral displays.
Abloh’s wife of 13 years Shannon Abloh gave a eulogy as well as his sister Edwina Abloh and Tyler The Creator — who was photographed breaking down in tears.
The tearful day included a moving performance by of an emotional Lauryn Hill who was seen removing her sunglasses mid-song as she sung Everything Is Everything, to wipe away tears.
Stories about the prolific designer’s life were shared and Pastor Don C spoke as well to a packed room who all were in attendance to pay respects.
Gone too soon: Abloh tragically passed on Sunday, November 28 at the age of 41 following a private battle with cardiac angiosarcoma and had sought a number treatments before his death
Devastating loss: Kanye West was in attendance as he paid respect to his long-term collaborator and lifelong friend
In his memory: Following the passing of Abloh, West dedicated his Sunday Service to him
Showing support: Kim Kardashian looked stylish in a pant suit as she supported her friend and the longtime colleague of her estranged husband
Condolences: Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were in attendance to celebrate the life of the late Louis Vuitton and Off-White designer as well
Holding him close: The pair looked sombre as they exited alongside hundreds of people following the memorial service
A memorial pamphlet read ‘A service in loving memory of Virgil Abloh’ and featured an image of the designer on the back cover.
Additional family members including Virgil’s children Lowe and Grey Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh, and his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh were in attendance to mark his life on what was undoubtedly a somber occasion.
Kendall Jenner, Vic Mensa, Frank Ocean, and A$AP Rocky joined the aforementioned A-listers to pay their respects as well as they all leaned on each other for support.
Large gathering: Hundreds of people gathered at the memorial service at 12PM on Monday including notable celebrities who gathered on stage while one of many speeches was given
Leaning on each other: During one fond recollection of Abloh’s life West (right) was glimpsed on stage in a hoodie and face mask with Drake on the opposite end (left) who bowed his head in sunglasses
Fond memories: His sister Edwina Abloh was just one to provide anecdotes about her brother’s incredible life while surrounded by a supportive community including big names in the music and fashion industries
Eulogies: Tyler The Creator was one memorable musician who eulogized Virgil, breaking down in the middle to wipe away tears
During a eulogy led by Abloh’s sister Edwina, Drake was seen on stage opposite West alongside a large group, as they all bowed their heads with hands on each others shoulders.
Among the throng of attendees Virgil’s wife Shannon — who he was married to from 2009 until his passing — was not photographed speaking on stage.
The couple who share two children kept their relationship largely out of the spotlight but she was offered condolences by all who knew both Abloh and the family well upon news of his passing.
Emotional tribute: Lauryn Hill was photographed in sunglasses beginning a musical tribute before she stopped mid performance and broke down as well
Memorializing him by music: The Doo Wop (that thing) singer was seen performing with a gospel choir in the background
Tearful performance: Hill was overcome by emotion as she played her song Everything Is Everything to a crowd of hundreds
Mid-set: Hill had to stop for a few seconds to compose herself as the band played in the background
Mourning: Following Abloh’s passing Hill had written on Instagram ‘May God cover and comfort the family and loved ones of Virgil Abloh
Following the memorial services the guests gathered in another heavily decorated room with gold lanterns hanging from the ceiling for some light refreshments.
Kim Kardashian kept a low profile throughout the service but looked stylish in a pantsuit and oversized sunglasses as she exited the memorial service ahead of West who signed a few autographs while wearing leather gloves and a hoodie underneath a coat.
The duo appeared to get into the same SUV and had also put on a united front together in honor of their late colleague as they attended Abloh’s final showing of his Louis Vuitton menswear collection in Miami last week.
Frank Ocean as well as Rihanna and A$AP were also pictured leaving the gathering, with the Umbrella singer being snapped resting her head on her boyfriend’s shoulders.
Leaving together? Kanye was spotted walking behind Kim to what looked to be the same SUV
Dressed to impress: The SKIMS founder’s look included oversized sunglasses and what looked to be an Off-White suit
Crowd pleaser: The Donda rapper was seen signing fan autographs as he exited
Escape plan: Though estranged wife Kim Kardashian was also present and they put on a united front at Abloh’s final Louis Vuitton showing in Miami last week
Following suit: The memorial service showed all A-list celebrities wearing customary black with their own stylish take
His hero: In Frank Ocean’s tribute he had called Abloh his ‘hero’
Rare being: Ocean continued to recall of Abloh’s character that ‘he was interested in living and living to the maximum extent of his level’ despite his secret cancer battle
The Donda rapper perhaps had the most enduring friendship with the designer as they first became close when both landed an internship at Fendi in in Rome in 2009.
They continued to collaborate together for many years to come, but reportedly had a falling out over the fact that Abloh had not come to work exclusively with West — however they reconciled in 2018.
Following Abloh’s passing West had dedicated one of his Sunday Services to the designer and wiped his Instagram feed clean of all images, and additionally it was said that he was one of ‘those close to Virgil who was aware of his illness,’ per TMZ.
In loving memory: A memorial pamphlet is pictured above
Smiling soul: An image on the back paid testament to his uplifting and positive demeanor as recounted by the many celebrities who paid tribute to him
Refreshments: Following the emotional service guests were treated to light refreshments where they mingled
Beloved: The extent of the late designer’s influence and love was evident in the amount of people that filled up the large museum
An honour: A number of attendees took to social media to share insights into the day, with posts cropping up online. Among these was a post from Drake showing a coin adorned with the words ‘Virgil Was Here’
A further honour: He also shared an image of a private jet personalised with Virgil’s name and the logo for Drake’s record label
Off out: Drake shared a snap from inside the jet after leaving the event
A number of attendees took to social media to share insights into the day, with posts cropping up online. Among these was a post from Drake showing a coin adorned with the words ‘Virgil Was Here’.
Proving his talents as a designer spanned beyond clothing, Abloh had also designed the God’s Plan rapper’s private jet — dubbed ‘Air Drake’ — which features the OVO owl and the words ‘VA Abloh engineering.’
Following the service, the Canadian crooner shared an image flying into the sky via the jet with the words ’til next time.’
Further images showed Aleta Clark, known as Englewood Barbie, chatting animatedly to both Drake and Kanye as they paid their respects to the late great designer and their good friend.
Chatting: Further images showed Aleta Clark, known as Englewood Barbie, chatting animatedly to both Drake and Kanye as they paid their respects to the late great designer and their good friend
Warm: Kanye shook hands with Aleta outside the service
Abloh trained as an architect and made history as Louis Vuitton’s first black artistic director.
The founder of game-changing label Off-White, a brand he created in 2012, had taken over the role from Kim Jones.
Abloh’s death was announced on Instagram on November 28 with a lengthy caption revealing he had secretly fought cardiac angiosarcoma since 2019.
The caption read: ‘We are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved Virgil Abloh, a devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his loving wife Shannon Abloh, his children Lowe Abloh and Grey Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh, his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh, and dear friends and colleagues.’
‘We are all shocked by this terrible news, Virgil was not only a genius designer, a visionary, he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom,’ Louis Vuitton executive director Bernault Arnault said in a statement.
Comfort: Also seen exiting were Rihanna & A$AP who looked downcast as she rested her head on her boyfriend’s shoulder
Packed: Despite the scale of the museum, the memorial service was packed with those who knew and loved Abloh
Gigantic presence: Following the emotional service and reception a room of emotionally drained guests were seen exiting
‘The LVMH family joins me in this moment of great sorrow and we are all thinking of his loved ones after the passing of their husband, their brother, their father or their friend.’
His death sent shockwaves through Hollywood as he had battled his illness in private.
Frank Ocean called him a ‘hero’, Gigi Hadid had likened his enduring legacy to that of Mickey Mouse: ‘forever with us, forever adored, forever magical, forever guiding us with that special Virgil FUN.’
Countless others including Pharrell Williams, Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid, Kaia Gerber, Marc Jacobs, Donatella Versace had also paid tribute to the great innovator — many of who were present at his memorial service.
anecdotes: The lengthy service showed many famous and non-famous faces paying their respect
Kind words: The day was filled with emotional speeches that spoke to his character both personally and professionally