Abloh opens RSVP Gallery in partnership with fellow member of Kanye’s crew, Don C. The conceptual retail space is located in Chicago and stocks edgy luxury brands.

That same year, Abloh is invited by the former head of Fendi, Michael Burke (now CEO of LVMH) to intern at the fashion house alongside Kanye—earning a humble $500/month for his efforts. Abloh impresses Burke with his street-luxe design ideas, and his potential is noted.

Working as the artistic director for Kanye’s creative agency, DONDA, Abloh earns a Grammy nomination for the artwork he produced for Kanye and Jay-Z’s collaborative album, Watch The Throne.

Abloh debuts his Pyrex Vision collection The grungy streetwear men’s brand sees Abloh repurposing old t-shirts, hoodies and flannel shirts made by Ralph Lauren and Champion, with pieces fetching as much as $500.

He also collaborates with Matthew Williams and Heron Preston on the high-octane brand and lifestyle collective, Been Trill.

Abloh launches his new label, Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh. Based and produced in Milan, the luxury streetwear brand becomes recognised for its white diagonal stripes and collegiate-style lettering.

In 2014, Abloh debuted the first womenswear pieces for Off-White and makes them part of the brand’s Paris Fashion Week show.

Abloh was one of the finalists—alongside the likes of Demna Gvasalia and Simon Porte Jacquemus—for the prestigious LVMH Prize. He was the only American to be nominated. The prize ultimately went to London-based designers Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida of Marques’Almeida

Abloh debuted his first menswear catwalk show in Paris, which was held at BMCS on the Rue Saint-Honoré. Of the venue, Abloh said, “It sort of has a mini Grand Palais feel to it. It feels very Parisian and historic, and I can come in and juxtapose that with the kind of energy that I’m bringing to it.”

Abloh inks three major design collaborations including the “The Ten” with Nike, which features a reworking of the sports brand’s 10 most iconic sneakers. He taps footwear legend Jimmy Choo for his Princess Diana-inspired spring/summer ’18 show, and collaborates with Ikea on an affordable furniture line for millennials, scheduled to be released in 2019.

Abloh is not one to shy away from making a political statement. Last year, during a guest appearance at Florentine menswear tradeshow, Pitti Uomo, the second-generation migrant collaborated with artist Jenny Holzer on to produce a powerful runway show that addressed the international refugee crisis and immigration.

Abloh is appointed Louis Vuitton’s new men's artistic director, following Kim Jones’s departure. He is the first African American to take on the top job for the French fashion house.