Kim Kardashian and Kanye West attend Virgil Abloh’s latest Louis Vuitton fashion show with daughter North
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Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West have come together to celebrate the life of longtime friend and late designer Virgil Abloh during his posthumous presentation for Louis Vuitton.
Kanye, 44, and Kim, 41, were seen front row at the Louis Vuitton Spring / Summer 2022 menswear showcase in Miami on Tuesday night with their daughter North, 8, sitting between them. Before the show started, Kim posted a few photos on her Instagram Story, including a sand sculpture by Abloh and a massive red Louis Vuitton hot air balloon.
The presentation marks the first time the former couple have been seen together in public since Kim started dating Saturday Night Live comedian Pete Davidson. In addition to North, Kim and Kanye share their daughter Chicago, 3½ years old, and sons Saint West, 5½ years old, and Psalm, 2½ years old. Since Kim filed for divorce from the rapper in February, the former couple have focused on peaceful co-parenting.
Louis Vuitton announced that Abloh’s latest menswear collection in Miami “will pay homage to the life and legacy of a creative genius.” The show took place at Miami Marine Stadium, where Kanye led a Sunday Service event two years ago to close Art Basel. Participants took a ferry to the site approximately two hours before the start of the presentation.
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PEOPLE confirmed on Sunday that Abloh, artistic director of Louis Vuitton and founder of Off-White, died at age 41 after a two-year battle with a rare form of cancer called cardiac angiosarcoma.
In a statement posted to Abloh’s Instagram page by his family, they revealed that he had undergone “many harsh treatments” while continuing his work in fashion and art. “Through it all, his work ethic, endless curiosity and optimism never wavered,” the family said. “Virgil was motivated by his dedication to his craft and his mission to open doors for others and to create pathways for greater equality in art and design.”
Abloh’s friendship with Kanye dates back over a decade and he bonded with Kim through the rapper. Although Abloh was not formally trained in fashion (he earned a degree in civil engineering and a master’s in architecture), he landed an internship at Fendi alongside Kanye in 2009. From there, the collaboration of the duo took off.
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Abloh went on to become Creative Director of Kanye’s Donda design agency, before launching his first brand, Pyrex Vision, in 2012. He then founded his streetwear brand, Off-White, in 2014 before being named first. black artistic director of Louis Vuitton men’s fashion in 2018.
As his fashion career took off, Abloh always stayed close to Kanye and Kim. Also a successful DJ and producer (he notably directed JAY-Z’s art and Kanye’s album in 2011 Look at the throne for which he won a Grammy), Abloh took the stage to play the role of DJ at Kim and Kanye’s engagement celebration at AT&T Park in San Francisco. When the couple got married, Abloh stood by his friend’s side as a best man.
Laurent Vu / Sipa / Shutterstock Kanye West and Virgil Abloh kiss after the designer’s first runway show as male artistic director at Louis Vuitton.
After Abloh passed away, Kim wrote a touching tribute to the creator on Instagram. “God doesn’t make mistakes. I know it but I still can’t help but wonder why. Why Virgil ?! Why him so early? It’s just hard to understand why. why so many pure souls were taken away so early “, the keeping up with the Kardashians said alum.
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“Virgil- you’ve always been so gentle and kind and calm,” she continued. “You kind of took time for everyone. We also talked a lot about your super calm power. You always gave so much of yourself to the world because you wanted it to be doped. is hard to deal with. I can’t even believe I’m writing this… We will miss you so much Virgil and we will love you so much. “
Kanye dedicated his Sunday service to his longtime friend after hearing the news of his death.
“In loving memory of Virgil Abloh, Donda’s Creative Director,” Kanye wrote in a post that remained on the site after the event.
During the service, the West choir delivered a moving rendition of Adele’s hit single “Easy on Me” from her new album. 30, with a revised section of the song. For the first verse, the choir performed a modified set of lyrics. “I know your love flows like a river, and I could wash myself in it forever,” they sang. “I know there is hope in these waters, but I cannot bring myself to swim when I am drowning in my sin.”
The chorusThe lyrics have also been changed: “Take it easy, Father. I am still your child and I need a chance to feel your love around you.”