Abloh-isms
by Virgil Abloh

Edited by Larry Warsh

Published by Princeton University Press in collaboration with No More Rulers (@nomorerulers)

ISBN: 9780691213798
Published (US): Mar 16, 2021
Published (UK): Apr 20, 2021
Copyright: 2021
Cover: Hardcover
Pages: 160
Size: 4.25 x 5.25 in.
Illus: 2 b/w illus.

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From the publisher:

Abloh-isms is a collection of essential quotations from American fashion designer, DJ, and stylist Virgil Abloh, who has established himself as a major creative figure in the worlds of pop culture and art. Abloh began his career as Kanye West’s creative director before founding the luxury streetwear label Off-White and becoming artistic director for Louis Vuitton, making Abloh the first American of African descent to hold that title at a French fashion house. Defying categorization, Abloh’s work has been the subject of solo exhibitions at museums and galleries, most notably in a major retrospective at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Gathered from interviews and other sources, this selection of compelling and memorable quotations from the designer reveals his thoughts on a wide range of subjects, including creativity, passion, innovation, race, and what it means to be an artist of his generation. Lively and thought-provoking, these quotes reflect Abloh’s unique perspective as a trailblazer in his fields.

Select quotations from the book:

“I believe that coincidence is key, but coincidence is energies coming towards each other. You have to be moving to meet it.”

“Life is collaboration. Where I think art can be sort of misguided is that it propagates this idea of itself as a solo love affair—one person, one idea, no one else involved.”

“Black influence has created a new ecosystem, which can grow and support different types of life that we couldn’t before.”

“Like it or not, irrelevance is death.”