Blurring Boundaries: Virgil Abloh's Architectural Approach to Fashion and Culture
Bridging Fashion and Architecture to Unlock Virgil Abloh's Vision for Inspiring A whole Generation and Opening New Doors
Fashion and architecture have always overlapped; both disciplines share more similarities than differences. However, society often refers to them as two separate entities solely. In fact, some engineers and architects of our modern era have successfully harnessed their scientific and construction background to impact culture entirely. The late Ghanaian-American fashion designer Virgil Abloh is a great example of that, and his legacy lives on through the doors he opened, the ideas and concepts he conveyed, and his purpose.
After completing a degree in civil engineering and a master’s in Architecture, Virgil focused on making an impression in the fashion scene by creating his own distinguishable luxury fashion house, Off-White, before becoming the head of Louis Vuitton Menswear in 2018. “We all make stuff; the goal is to make them with purpose.” This article explores the seamless integration of architecture and engineering in the realm of fashion, highlighting how these disciplines synergize to redefine style and cultural expression.
THE ENVIRONMENT IS JUST AS VALUABLE AS THE PRODUCT
Louis Vuitton Winter 2021 Fashion show, via Youtube
The word ‘architecture’ usually refers to the art and technique of designing and constructing buildings and other structures. Architecture and Fashion spring from the same humane impulses. They are both shelters where we find refuge and represent the essential and vital needs for mankind to survive, besides food. Furthermore, they both relate to the idea of ‘craftsmanship,’ which is the process of skillfully making things by hand.
Louis Vuitton Winter 2021 Fashion show, via Youtube
Creating garments is only part of the story; creating the environment around them is just as valuable, if not more so. Hence, the parallel between clothing and construction is used to weave a building. Originally, nomadic tribes lived in tents made of animal fur and cloth, using the same materials as those in the clothes we wear. Both disciplines have a close relationship and are conceptually and historically tied together. Weaving clothes or buildings is not that far apart; the material differs. Learning about technique, shapes, color, and proportions applies to both disciplines. Therefore, Virgil Abloh wasn’t completely an outsider when it comes to making clothes. The environment leads the maker to find inspiration for the products placed in it. Over 10 years after obtaining his engineering and architecture degrees in 2002 and 2006, he made his way to be named among the best-known fashion designers in the world.
Virgil Abloh on objects becoming work of art depending on the environment, via Youtube
Calling himself a Renaissance man, Virgil found that studying architecture gave him a different outlook on building things. He realized he could build anything, not just physical buildings, but also an ecosystem of ideas and concepts, both virtual and tangible. “Studying architecture, to some people, is, like, 'Oh, you build buildings.' But to me, it's a way of thinking. It's a way of problem-solving with a rationale. And you can apply that rationale to building a building but also to scrambling eggs,” Virgil stated. As a result, he showed us that mundane objects can have artistic quality, just like a piece of trash that can be perceived as a piece of art or just trash depending on the environment it’s in.
BETWEEN FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE AND ARTISTIC QUALITY
Besides understanding the importance of the environment as a muse and marketing tool, being an architect allowed him to comprehend community nuances and their relationship to the common person. It’s not just an architect-to-client relationship but rather about building infrastructures and products for people in the community where they exist. Despite luxury fashion being an elitist field, Virgil still kept his thinking process formed from his background and could generate ideas that don’t necessarily manifest within the fashion realm; some of them rest in architecture. Empathy is the glue that allows him to expand his palette of creativity to solve problems.
Off White store in Miami, via Off-White
For instance, certain Off-White flagship stores are designed in a way that transforms them into places for communities to gather, whether it's around music, coffee drinks, or even fashion shows. By challenging the status quo, Virgil Abloh has arguably become one of the most impactful designers of the modern renaissance. He frequently uses this term to define the time we live in as an era of rebirth, revamping, and revisiting teachings from the past, where new ideas and concepts can spark.
Before Virgil Abloh, another iconic architect had an immense impact on pop culture and is a world-renowned shoe designer. He helped build staple shoe models for the Jordan brand and some of Nike’s timeless pieces, such as the original Nike Air Max. His name: Tinker Hatfield. The shoe takes its inspiration from the famous Paris art and cultural complex Centre Pompidou. In fact, in the sole, we can see the same bubbles as the ones visible on the inside-out structural elements. This changed the way people looked at sneakers and showed that there is no real discipline. Tinker joined Nike as an architect in 1981, and his mission was about designing offices, showrooms, and retail stores. However, he managed to get his unconventional vision for the Air Max approved by the Nike design team, after facing resistance from the board. The architect from Oregon brought a fresh new outlook on cushioning while introducing cutting-edge design through the visible Air-Sole. Hence the importance of building taste by pulling references from various sources, including this unorthodox modern art museum.
Pierre Cardin’s bubble house, by photographer Remy Fay
When you make something, you’re just blurring the lines between what’s engineering, fashion, design, and art. These categories have been created to rationalize creations. Creativity doesn’t fit neatly into a specific box. At the end of the day, you’re making something purposeful that represents a form of expression. The space you create is a canon for creativity and represents the main influencer of your creation, besides the artist’s or designer’s inner vision. Some places have distinctive effects on artists because of their architecture. For instance, Pierre Cardin’s house, the Bubble Palace, located in the South of France, is one of the most remarkable and extraordinary pieces of design. Its nature-inspired round shapes, panoramic views, and natural landscape showcase avant-garde living spaces that are both artistic and functional. Today, this cultural hotspot hosts high-profile events, fashion shows, and can serve as a studio or canvas for artistic endeavors. Bought by the famous French fashion designer Pierre Cardin in 1992, the house presents an impressive interior with an eclectic mix of furnishings and works of art, adding artistic appeal to it. A safe haven for every creative mind.
Architects and designers can be seen in the same vein as doctors—except that they solve problems of the design world. The core concepts of Virgil and Tinker’s respective main disciplines translate well into the fashion and sportswear industry. Their backgrounds don't just distinguish them; they redefine the narrative of their products. They offer a fresh perspective on creation, erasing the boundaries traditionally set in the search for inspiration and techniques. This approach not only innovates but also inspires, opening new avenues for expression and design in the ever-evolving fabric of fashion and architecture.
