Louis Vuitton star designer Virgil Abloh dead of cancer at 41

Virgil Abloh, a trailblazing artist who launched his own Off-White label and served as artistic director of Louis Vuitton menswear, died Sunday after a two-year struggle with cancer, according to the French fashion giant.

According to Abloh's parent company, LVMH, the 41-year-old has been discreetly battling cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare and severe illness, for two years.

In a message on Twitter, business CEO Bernard Arnault stated, "We are all horrified following this dreadful news." "Virgil was not only a brilliant designer and visionary, but he was also a kind soul with a lot of knowledge.

"The LVMH family joins me at this time of immense sadness, and we're all thinking about his loved ones who have lost their husband, father, brother, or friend."

Abloh, who became the first black creative director of Louis Vuitton's menswear brand in 2018, was recognized for creating outfits for celebrities such as Kanye West and Kid Cudi.

He was diagnosed with a rare kind of cancer in 2019, according to the company.

"Virgil, I am speechless," fashion designer Donatella Versace posted on Instagram, one of several celebrities who expressed their grief at the news of Abloh's death.

She wrote, "The world has lost a fashion superstar." "A legend to be reckoned with. On this awful day, I am thinking of all of your loved ones."

Abloh "totally transformed the way I looked at street style and fashion," Haley Baldwin told Glamour magazine.

"I'll never be able to adequately explain how happy I am to have known and worked with him, from walking his runway to having him create my wedding gown, and everything in between," she says.

On Twitter, singer/songwriter Pharrell Williams commented, "My heart is devastated."

Williams commented, "Virgil, you were a kind, compassionate, thinking creative genius." "Your effort as a person and as a spiritual entity will continue on indefinitely."

Meanwhile, former soccer player David Beckham and his wife, Victoria Beckham, a former Spice Girl and model, both expressed their sympathy.

Victoria Beckham wrote on Instagram, "A real inspiration in so many ways." @virgilabloh, may you rest in peace. I'm sending love and light to you and your lovely family."

Meanwhile, following his shortened service on Sunday, Kanye paid respect to his buddy and partner with a title board that stated, "In loving remembrance of Virgil Abloh, the creative director of Donda," according to USA Today.

Abloh is survived by his wife, Shannon, and two children, Lowe and Grey Abloh, as well as his sister and parents, according to a message on his Instagram account.