Virgil Abloh, Kanye West's Creative Director, Joins Louis Vuitton As New Menswear Designer

Source: Screengrab via the New York Times

Virgil Abloh, Kanye West's creative director and founder of streetwear brand Off-White, has been appointed as Louis Vuitton's artistic director of menswear.

READ: Reports Say Kanye West Wants To Release New Music "Very Soon"

Abloh succeeds Kim Jones, who held the position for seven years and now oversees menswear at Christian Dior. Abloh will present his first collection for the French luxury retail company in June during men's fashion week in Paris. He is now Louis Vuitton's first-ever black artistic director, according to a report from the New York Times.

In a statement, Louis Vuitton CEO and Chairman Michael Burke said the following about Abloh serving as artistic director of menswear.

"...having followed with great interest Virgil's ascent since he worked with me at Fendi in 2006, I am thrilled to see how his innate creativity and disruptive approach have made him so relevant, not just in the world of fashion but in popular culture today."

"I find the heritage and creative integrity of the House are key inspirations and will look to reference them both while drawing parallels to modern times," Abloh said in a separate statement on the position.

Prior to this, Abloh's name was linked to several other creative director jobs with brands such as Versace and Burberry.

Recently, there have been reports of West planning to release new music "very soon."

West has reportedly been in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, working on a new album alongside Travis Scott, Pierre Bourne, The-Dream, Kid Cudi, and Nas.

Source: New York Times