LVMH sells the Off-White brand, founded by Virgil Abloh, to an American company

Luxury giant LVMH announced on Monday the sale of the Off-White brand, founded in 2012 by former artistic director of Louis Vuitton men’s collections Virgil Abloh, to a New York-based brand management company, Bluestar Alliance LLC .

“The terms of the transaction are not disclosed,” LVMH said in a joint press release on Monday, believing that Bluestar Alliance “is the ideal partner” to perpetuate “the legacy that Off-White has built under the avant-garde leadership of Virgil Abloh”, American designer who died of cancer at the age of 41 in November 2021.

“Virgil Abloh’s ability to merge urban culture and fashion has defined new standards that are perfectly in line with our vocation to combine innovation and diversity,” responded Bluestar Alliance CEO Joy Gabbay, also quoted in the press release.

Bluestar Alliance, founded in 2006, “manages and markets a portfolio of consumer brands that span multiple levels of distribution,” including department stores. Among the brands in its portfolio, Hurley, Scotch & Soda, Kensie, Catherine Malandrino, and English Laundry.

LVMH acquired 60% of Off-White in July 2021, with Mr. Abloh holding 40%, according to a press release published on that date, when Virgil Abloh was already artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s men’s collections.

Virgil Abloh, star of the “millennials” and king of luxury streetwear, was the first major black designer recognized on the fashion scene, committed to the affirmation of African-American cultures.

It was the musician, producer and stylist Pharrell Williams who succeeded him as creative director of Louis Vuitton men.

Paris, September 30, 2024 (AFP)