Supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid each paid memorial on social media to fashion designer Virgil Abloh, who died at 41 on Sunday following a cancer battle.
Gigi, 26, shared a montage of photos of herself with Abloh, as she said she was ‘heartbroken by the loss’ of the designer, who she described as her ‘dear friend, and a friend to the world.’
Gigi highlighted Abloh’s talents and kindness in her memorial post.
The latest: Supermodels Gigi Hadid, 26, and Bella Hadid, 25, each paid memorial on social media to fashion designer Virgil Abloh died at 41 earlier Sunday following a cancer battle
‘He was 1 of 1,’ she said. ‘His kindness and energetic generosity left a lasting impression on every life he touched – he made everyone feel seen and special.
‘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.’
Gigi said of her late friend: ‘I picture him now like our Mickey Mouse .. forever with us, forever adored, forever magical, forever guiding us with that special Virgil FUN; I’m sure that’s how he wanted to be remembered, but still it will never be the same without him in the room.’
She said she will continued to be inspired by Abloh on a daily basis and feels ‘blessed and honored by every moment’ she shared with him. Gigi added, ‘Rest Easy, my friend … you are so loved … you were the difference;’ and sent her ‘deepest condolences, light, and strength’ to his wife Shannon Abloh, his children, Lowe and Grey, ‘and his whole family.’
Gigi highlighted Abloh’s talents and kindness in her memorial post on Instagram
Gigi shared a montage of photos of herself with Abloh
Gigi said she will continued to be inspired by Abloh on a daily basis and feels ‘blessed and honored by every moment’ she shared with him
Gigi and Abloh were seen at a June 2019 event in NYC
Bella, 25, also shared a series of shots of herself with the late fashion powerhouse. She said she was ‘at a loss’ at news Abloh had died, as ‘he was someone to everyone,’ as ‘that was the magic power he held.
‘He made every person he came across feel special in whatever way he possibly could,’ she said. ‘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.’
She called Abloh ‘the most beautiful warrior soul’ and credited him for breaking boundaries and making everything his own.
‘You shared your love infinitely. The way your brain worked was beyond anything , and the way you did every single thing in life for your family, friends, and for the better .. . We’re gonna miss you a lot V,’ she said. ‘You really saw me and supported me on every level. As you did to so many of us. An ethereal light. You always inspired to keep pushing, work hard and be kind.’
Bella said she was ‘thinking about, sending love and prayers to his beautiful Shannon, their kids, and the rest of the Abloh family.’
She wrapped up in saying, ‘I’m devastated. You will be so missed and cherished V. “FOR INFINITY..” Fly high my Libra brother. I know you’re watching over the world now. I love you for life.’
Bella also shared a series of shots of herself with the late fashion powerhouse
Abloh and Bella were seen at a fashion event in NYC in June of 2017
Bella beamed as Abloh was seen in the background in a shot she shared from their friendship
The friends were snapped this past July in Paris during a Louis Vuitton event
Abloh’s family issued a statement about his death on his Instagram account, saying that ‘for over two years, Virgil valiantly battled a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma.
‘He chose to endure his battle privately since his diagnosis in 2019, undergoing numerous challenging treatments, all while helming several significant institutions that span fashion, art, and culture.’
Abloh’s family said that ‘through it all, his work ethic, infinite curiosity, and optimism never wavered,’ and that he ‘was driven by his dedication to his craft and to his mission to open doors for others and create pathways for greater equality in art and design.’
Abloh’s relatives thanked his fans for their ‘love and support’ and requested privacy amid the grieving process.
Abloh in 2018 was named by Louis Vuitton as artistic director for its menswear ready-to-wear line.
‘We are all shocked after this terrible news. Virgil was not only a genius designer, a visionary, he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom,’ Bernard Arnault, the chairman and chief executive of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, said in a statement.
The designer is survived by his wife Shannon Abloh and his children, Lowe and Grey.