Virgil Abloh’s Footwear Legacy: From Off-White™ “The Ten” to the Louis Vuitton Trainer

Fashion designer Virgil Abloh left a lasting mark on modern fashion through his work at Off-White and Louis Vuitton, but his influence was especially visible in footwear.

From coveted Off-White x Nike sneakers to runway boots and celebrity collaborations, Abloh helped blur the line between streetwear and luxury. His influence can be seen in everything from the Off-White x Nike Air Jordan 1 worn by Bella Hadid to experimental collaborations such as the Off-White x Jimmy Choo collection.

Fashion visionary Virgil Abloh, in a distinctive suit, and model Bella Hadid, in her signature street style, are seen strolling in Saint Germain, Paris, on June 24, 2021, showcasing their contrasting yet influential footwear choices (Credit: MEGA / WENN)

His impact extended far beyond the runway. Across sneakers, boots, and luxury footwear, Abloh became known for treating design as a conversation with the wearer, often incorporating exposed construction details, industrial-inspired graphics, zip ties, and quotation-mark text such as “FOR WALKING” and “SHOELACES” that became signatures of his work.

Celebrities including Bella Hadid, Julia Garner, and Sasha Lane regularly wore his designs, helping introduce Off-White’s aesthetic to red carpets, fashion weeks, and everyday street style. Bella Hadid was frequently photographed in coveted Off-White x Nike releases, including the Off-White x Nike Blazer Mid and the highly collectible Off-White x Nike Air Jordan 1.

This article looks back at Abloh’s legacy through the lens of footwear and celebrity fashion, revisiting the shoes, collaborations, and style moments that helped define his influence. Following a private battle with cardiac angiosarcoma, Abloh died on November 28, 2021, in Chicago at the age of 41.

“We are all shocked after this terrible news. Virgil was not only a genius designer, a visionary, he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom. The LVMH family joins me in this moment of great sorrow, and we are all thinking of his loved ones after the passing of their husband, their father, their brother or their friend,” Bernard Arnault, chairman and chief executive of LVMH Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton SE, said in a statement.

“We are devastated to announce the passing of our beloved Virgil Abloh, a fiercely devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He is survived by his loving wife Shannon Abloh, his children Lowe Abloh and Grey Abloh, his sister Edwina Abloh, his parents Nee and Eunice Abloh, and numerous dear friends and colleagues,” an official statement on Virgil Abloh’s Instagram stated.

A visionary who reshaped modern fashion and collaborated with major footwear brands, Virgil Abloh, seen here, died from cancer in Chicago on November 28, 2021, at the age of 41 (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)

“For over two years, Virgil valiantly battled a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma. He chose to endure his battle privately since his diagnosis in 2019, undergoing numerous challenging treatments, all while helming several significant institutions that span fashion, art, and culture,” the message added.

“Through it all, his work ethic, infinite curiosity, and optimism never wavered. Virgil was driven by his dedication to his craft and to his mission to open doors for others and create pathways for greater equality in art and design. He often said, ‘Everything I do is for the 17-year-old version of myself,’ believing deeply in the power of art to inspire future generations. We thank you all for your love and support, and we ask for privacy as we grieve and celebrate Virgil’s life.”

Fashion icons Carine Roitfeld, showcasing dazzling heels, and the late Virgil Abloh, known for his groundbreaking sneaker designs, arrive together at the amfAR Gala Cannes 2018 at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 17, 2018, in Cap d’Antibes, France (Credit: ATP / WENN)

Gigi Hadid Remembers Virgil Abloh: “He Made Everyone Feel Seen and Special”

One of his favorite models, Gigi Hadid, paid tribute to Virgil Abloh on Instagram. “I am heartbroken by the loss of my dear friend, and a friend to the world, Virgil Abloh. He was 1 of 1,” Gigi wrote.

“His kindness and energetic generosity left a lasting impression on every life he touched— he made everyone feel seen and special. He will be deeply missed, cherished, and celebrated by me and all the people and industries that have been lucky enough to work around & know the true supernova behind this man.”

“I picture him now like our Mickey Mouse .. forever with us, forever adored, forever magical, forever guiding us with that special Virgil FUN; I’m sure that’s how he wanted to be remembered, but still it will never be the same without him in the room.”

A defining figure in modern fashion, Virgil Abloh, who launched Off-White in 2012 and led Louis Vuitton’s menswear from 2018, was instrumental in shaping the streetwear and luxury footwear trends often seen on celebrities (Credit: Patricia Schlein / WENN)

“You will continue to inspire me every day, V. I feel blessed and honored by every moment. Rest Easy, my friend. You are so loved. You were the difference. As we always said.. ‘See you somewhere, soon™️’.”

“Sending my deepest condolences, light, and strength to Shannon, their kids, and his whole family. 🤍”

Model Bella Hadid showcases the Off-White Fall 2021 Ready-to-Wear collection on the catwalk in Paris on July 4, 2021, featuring striking blue knee-high boots, a testament to Virgil Abloh’s visionary design (Credit: MEGA / WENN)

From Engineering to Fashion Icon: Virgil Abloh’s Rise and Bella Hadid’s Heartfelt Tribute

Before becoming one of the most influential designers in the fashion industry, Virgil Abloh earned a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He completed a Master’s degree in Architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

After working in street fashion in Chicago, the trained architect entered the global fashion industry with a 2009 internship at Fendi alongside Kanye West. In 2018, he was appointed artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear line, bringing the same sneaker-focused mindset that had already transformed Nike collaborations and celebrity street style.

His ability to bridge luxury and sportswear helped create a new generation of fashion-conscious sneaker enthusiasts, reflected in celebrity looks ranging from Beyoncé’s Off-White x Nike Air Jordan 1 sneakers to Kendall Jenner’s Off-White x Nike Zoom Fly Mercurial sneakers.

He is survived by his wife, Shannon Sundberg, whom he met in high school, and their two children.

“I’m at a loss. He was someone to everyone. That was the magic power he held. He made every person he came across feel special in whatever way he possibly could. Even when the world felt sad, he brought laughter and color, and beauty. The way he made a positive impact on anything he touched, and always pushed for his culture/the world is the reason why he was an angel on earth and one to so many. The most beautiful warrior soul. I can’t believe this,” Bella Hadid wrote on Instagram.

“You broke boundaries and made everything your own. You shared your love infinitely. The way your brain worked was beyond anything, and the way you did every single thing in life for your family, friends, and for the better .. . We’re gonna miss you a lot V . You really saw me and supported me on every level. As you did to so many of us. An ethereal light. You always inspired to keep pushing, work hard and be kind. No matter what. I’m thinking about, sending love and prayers to his beautiful Shannon, their kids, and the rest of the Abloh family. I’m devastated. You will be so missed and cherished V. “FOR INFINITY..” Fly high my Libra brother. I know you’re watching over the world now. I love you for life .🌎 #FUCKCANCER”

The Louis Vuitton Trainer: Virgil Abloh’s Most Influential Luxury Sneaker

While Virgil Abloh’s Off-White collaborations with Nike helped redefine sneaker culture, his work at Louis Vuitton produced one of the most important luxury sneakers of the modern era: the LV Trainer.

The success of the LV Trainer was driven by the cultural impact of collaborations such as the Off-White x Nike Air Jordan 1 and the Off-White x Nike Air Max 90, both of which helped establish Abloh as one of the most influential footwear designers of his generation.

Introduced during his tenure as Louis Vuitton’s menswear artistic director, the sneaker drew inspiration from vintage basketball shoes while incorporating luxury materials, oversized branding, and meticulous Italian craftsmanship. The design quickly became a cornerstone of Louis Vuitton’s footwear business and helped normalize the idea that a luxury sneaker could carry the same cultural weight as a runway shoe or collectible sneaker release.

Today, the LV Trainer remains one of Abloh’s most recognizable creations and a lasting symbol of how he merged luxury fashion with streetwear influences.

More Virgil Abloh Collaborations and Celebrity Shoe Moments Worth Exploring

Virgil Abloh’s influence extended far beyond a handful of headline-making sneaker releases. These additional collaborations and celebrity-style moments show how his design language has reached luxury fashion, streetwear, and red-carpet footwear alike.

While Virgil Abloh is best known for reshaping sneaker culture through Off-White and Nike, his influence extended well beyond athletic footwear.

His designs also became a fixture on red carpets, where celebrities embraced his blend of streetwear attitude and high-fashion polish. One standout example came from actress Sasha Lane, who paired an Off-White ensemble with the romantic drama of Christian Louboutin’s ‘Toubootfrou’ ankle boots.

Sasha Lane Turns Heads in Off-White and Christian Louboutin “Toubootfrou” Heels

Christian Louboutin’s ‘Toubootfrou’ ankle boots balanced romance with edge. Crafted from beige leather and layered with frayed black silk chiffon, the design created movement with every step while showcasing the house’s signature red lacquered soles.

The slim stiletto heel and ankle-skimming silhouette gave the boots a delicate, almost weightless feel, making them a striking complement to fashion-forward red-carpet looks.

Actress Sasha Lane wearing an Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh ensemble and Toubootfrou boots to the InStyle & Warner Bros. Party following the 2018 Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California (Credit: Brian To / WENN)

Sasha Lane wore these frayed silk boots with an Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh ensemble, demonstrating how the designer’s influence extended beyond sneakers into celebrity red-carpet fashion.

Toubootfrou 100 Chiffon and Leather Ankle Boots, $1,995

How Virgil Abloh’s Footwear Legacy Continues to Shape Fashion

Although Virgil Abloh passed away in 2021, his influence on footwear and fashion has continued to evolve. Louis Vuitton menswear entered a new chapter under Pharrell Williams in 2023, but many of the sneaker-focused foundations established during Abloh’s tenure remain visible throughout the brand’s collections.

His creative legacy also continued through posthumous Off-White projects and celebrity tributes, including Kylie Jenner’s 2022 Met Gala tribute in a custom Off-White gown originally connected to plans she had discussed with Abloh before his death.

Meanwhile, Nike and Off-White continued to release designs drawn from Abloh’s archives, introducing new audiences to the design language first seen in influential releases such as the Off-White x Nike Air Max 90, the Off-White x Nike Blazer Mid, and the Off-White x Nike Air Jordan 1.

Years after their debut, many of Abloh’s sneaker and boot designs remain among the most discussed and collected footwear releases in fashion.

Because Off-White x Nike releases and early Louis Vuitton sneakers remain highly sought-after, collectors should exercise caution when purchasing on the secondary market. Counterfeits are especially common for Off-White Air Jordans and other releases from “The Ten” collection. Buyers interested in resale sneakers should familiarize themselves with common authentication checks, such as those outlined in our guide to spotting fake Air Jordan sneakers.

At Your Next Shoes, we consider the Off-White x Nike Air Jordan 1 from the “The Ten” collection one of the most influential celebrity-endorsed sneakers of the 21st century. Few shoes have had a greater impact on the relationship between luxury fashion, sneaker collecting, and mainstream celebrity style.

Exploring the Designers Who Shaped American Footwear and Fashion

Virgil Abloh’s career demonstrated how footwear can become a powerful form of cultural expression, influencing everything from luxury runways to everyday street style.

His work joined a long tradition of American designers and brands that have helped shape the way celebrities, consumers, and the fashion industry think about shoes. From innovative footwear designers to iconic fashion houses, these stories highlight some of the people and brands that continue to leave their mark on American style.