Virgil Abloh’s memorial service was held on Monday in his hometown of Chicago at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
A-listers and close friends of the late Louis Vuitton and Off-White designer including Kanye West, Kim Kardashian Rihanna, Drake and more all gathered to pay their respect.
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.
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
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
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.
The tearful day included a moving performance by a tearful Lauryn Hill, and eulogies from many including his wife Shannon Abloh and Tyler The Creator who also broke down.
Stories about the prolific designer’s life were shared and Pastor Don C spoke as well to a room of hundreds.
A memorial pamphlet read ‘A service in loving memory of Virgil Abloh’ and featured an image of the designer on the back cover.
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$AP Rocky were in attendance to celebrate the life of the late Louis Vuitton and Off-White designer as well
Holding him close: The pair looked somber as they exited alongside hundreds of people following the memorial service
Additional family members including Virgil’s children Lowe and Grey Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh, and his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh were in attendance to mark his life on what was undoubtedly a somber occasion.
Kendall Jenner, Vic Mensa, Frank Ocean, and A$AP Rocky joined the aforementioned A-listers to pay their respects as well as they all leaned on each other for support.
During one prayer Drake was seen on stage opposite West as they all bowed their heads wearing sunglasses.
Leaning on each other: During one speech given West was glimpsed on stage with Drake on the opposite end who bowed his head in sunglasses
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
Fond memories: Anecdotes about Abloh’s life were told by many close to him including big names in the music and fashion industry
Virgil’s wife Shannon was seen sheathed in black with sunglasses as she eulogized her husband of 12 years.
She was seen wiping her tears mid sentence as she mourned the loss of Abloh who she married in 2009.
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.
Eulogies: Tyler The Creator broke down in tears as he spoke about his dear friend
Heartbroken: Virgil’s wife Shannon was seen sheathed in black with sunglasses as she eulogized her husband of 12 years
By his side: Shannon and Virgil married in 2009 and she was by his side as he battled cardiac angiosarcoma and underwent treatments in private
Tearful performance: Lauryn Hill could not help but to wipe away tears during her performance
Mid-set: Hill had to stop her song to wipe away tears after getting choked up while the band behind her played on
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 guests all looked to gather for some light refreshments.
Kim looked stylish in a pantsuit 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 as they attended Abloh’s final showing of his Louis Vuitton menswear collection in Miami last week.
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 first became close with Abloh as both landed an internship at Fendi in in Rome in 2009 and continued to collaborate together for many years to come.
Following Abloh’s passing West had dedicated one of his Sunday Services to the designer and wiped his Instagram feed clean of all images.
Additionally it was said that he was reportedly one of ‘those close to Virgil who was aware of his illness,’ per TMZ.
Abloh trained as an architect and made history as Louis Vuitton’s first black artistic director.
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
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