The new Virgil Abloh exhibition can be seen in the Grand Palais in Paris. This historic place of culture and fashion was already the scene of the monumental Chanel shows under the direction of Karl Lagerfeld. The exhibition entitled ‘Virgil Abloh: The Codes’ now continues the history of the monument and attracts numerous visitors: inside.
The event that only lasts a few days from September 30th to October 9th will be presented as the first major European exhibition. It is only dedicated to the work of Virgil Abloh. Abloh was an influential designer and former artistic director of the men’s fashion of the French luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton.
Since his death in 2021, Abloh has been the subject of several exhibitions. This includes a museum tour in the United States entitled ‘Virgil Abloh: “Figures of Speech”‘ and the exhibition ‘Virgil Abloh: Echosystems à Paris’ in the Kreo gallery. The exhibition ‘Virgil Abloh: The Codes C/O Architecture’ in the Rubell Museum in Miami 2022 is also included.
This event, which was organized in partnership with the US sports brand Nike, is the starting point for the current exhibition in the Grand Palais. It is organized by VA Securities and also in cooperation with the sporting goods manufacturer.
The Concept Store Colette in the Grand Palais
The connection between retail and museum has become commonplace for several decades. But here, at ‘Virgil Abloh: The Codes’, the two worlds fully merge. It is “a living work of art and a functional boutique,” says the message.
This merger takes on the form of a replica of the iconic concept store Colette. The shop was closed in 2017 and co -founded by Sarah Andelman. She is involved in the exhibition herself and was a close employee of Virgil Abloh.
“Virgil had a deep respect for Colette and was firmly convinced that business premises are platforms for the cultural expression,” said Shannon Abloh. She is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) by Virgil Abloh Securities, founder and CEO of the Virgil Abloh Foundation and President of the Virgil Abloh Archive.
The spirit of Virgil
Virgil Abloh was a multidisciplinary creative and the perfect example of a creative that cannot be put in a drawer. With an apprenticeship in architecture and civil engineering, he successfully moved between fashion with off-White and Louis Vuitton; Music as a DJ and employee of Kanye West; Furniture design for Ikea and Vitra and contemporary art. He significantly shaped his time by contributing to making streetwear a luxury good like any other.
The objects on display were compiled by the Virgil Abloh Archive. This organization is managed and supported privately by Shannon Abloh. Your task is to “continue the ideas of Virgil”.
The original scenography reflects the vision of the designer through her hybrid approach and the ‘collector’s spirit’. You can see a large number of Nike sancers in particular. What also makes the exhibition an event are the actions offered by Sponsor Nike. These include workshops or “surprise talks” with athlete: inside, designer: inside and partners: inside of the brand.
This approach is in accordance with the pedagogical spirit of Virgil Abloh. He had created a platform called ‘Free Game’ that was accessible to everyone, which was intended as a tool for young entrepreneurs: on the inside. The exhibition is not just a look into the past, but a continuation of the philosophy of Abloh.
Products that are resold to Vinted
What the visitors also attracts: the articles offered for purchase are also attracted. Among them is a new edition of the cooperation Virgil Ablohtm X Braun; An iconic modernist interpretation of the Weckers BC02 by Braun and a French translation of the book ‘Abloh-ISMS’ by Larry Warsh, which contains the most influential quotes in Abloh.
Several fan articles sold as part of the exhibition, which are limited editions, are now being resold on the Vinted Secondhand platform. Most of them are still labeled. There you will find a T-shirt for 149 euros, a carrying bag for 95 euros or a candle for 50 euros.
After all, the exhibition is also an opportunity for the Virgil Abloh Archive to publish a new publication: ‘The Virgil Reader: Volume 001’. Further editions will follow this first book. It presents conversations and interviews from the period from 2017 to 2020.
This article was used with digital tools translated.
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