Virgil Abloh.Photo: Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty
The 2022Grammy Awards' nod to the lateVirgil Ablohduringtheir In Memoriam segmentSunday has many speaking out against the show’s reference to Abloh as a “hip hop fashion designer.”
“I’m not even a big virgil abloh guy but calling him a ‘hip-hop fashion designer’ is wild disrespectful,” anotherTwitter user said.
The Recording Academy did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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Virgil Abloh nod during the 2022 Grammys In Memoriam.Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
Born on Sept. 30, 1980, Abloh was known as a pioneer in the fashion industry, having worked as the artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection, a role he assumed in March 2018.
He also served as chief executive officer of the Off-White label, which he founded in 2012. The late artist also lent his creative direction on collaborations with Nike, IKEA and even designed many album covers forKanye West.
PEOPLEconfirmed his death on Nov. 28, with his family sayingin a statementposted to Abloh’s Instagram page, “We are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved Virgil Abloh, a fiercely devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend.”
Abloh’s family revealed the designer was diagnosed with “a rare, aggressive form of cancer” called cardiac angiosarcoma. He underwent “numerous challenging treatments” all while continuing his work in fashion and art.
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In another comment, modelHelena Christensencalled the news of Abloh’s death “so devastating.”
“I will treasure our communication, even only in writing it made me smile every time. You shone so bright the time you were here ❤️💜❤️,” wrote the supermodel, 53.
Kourtney Kardashianhonored the late designer on her Instagram Story, which she captioned, “You changed the world” beneath a broken heart and dove emojis.
source: people.com
