American Virgil Aplo, stylist and art director of Louis Vuitton men’s collections, died of cancer on Sunday at the age of 41, according to the LVMH team at Whitton’s parent company.

“The LVMH team is deeply saddened to announce the disappearance of Maison Louis Vuitton and the off-white Virgil Apollo.

Bernard Arnold, the group’s leader, said he was “shocked” and “a genius designer, visionary” but “a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom.”

Virgil Apollo’s illness has not been made public.

King of “street” culture

The first top black designer, pledged to be a staple of African-American cultures, earned the stylist one of the most enviable positions in fashion at LVMH’s flagship label in 2018. King of Luxury Street Clothing, he has established himself over the years as one of the best designers among the connected Millennials audience.

His trademark? A style that reflects the “street” culture, with its sneakers and sweatshirts, but with the easily recognizable logo, black and white oblique straps, successful collaboration with Nike, Jimmy Sue or even Mankler.

Virgil Apollo created his first label, Pyrex Vision in 2012. A year later, Off-White was born, a luxury streetwear brand that pushed itself by its graphics strength before evolving into more “collaborative” works. In 2015, the brand was one of the finalists for the prestigious LVMH Prize.

LVMH signed a deal in July with Virgil Apollo, the majority partner of its off-white brand.