VIRGIL ABLOH & NIGO DYNAMIC DUO
—On one side of the planet, American Virgil Abloh, artistic director of Louis Vuitton menswear, creator of the Off–White brand (recently bought out by LVMH), friend of rappers and — despite turning 40 — a veritable icon for the today’s youth fascinated by the language of a fashion that has freed itself of cultural complexes. On the other side, Nigo, born at the beginning of the 70s in Japan, DJ for the Teriyaki Boyz, producer, stylist and founder of the A Bathing Ape clothing line (or Bape for those in the know) that influenced the streetwear universe and beyond. Virgil and Nigo have combined to create a capsule collection for Louis Vuitton, LV2, with the second part — combining Japanese and western influences — scheduled for this autumn. Here they tell us about the ties that bind them — to one another and to the worlds of fashion, music and more besides.
VOGUE HOMMES
How did you meet?
VIRGIL ABLOH In Japan, at least 15 or so years ago. Nigo was, and still is, someone who personified a modern voice combined with a unique perception of fashion and luxury. Mutual friends introduced us to one another.
Virgil was part of the Kanye West team and, like a lot of international hip hop artists at the time, he often paid me a visit.
