“I started my fashion brand to do architecture”- V
Let alone the obvious impact in changing fashion in ways never done before but what too often gets left behind is his immense skill in design of furniture and architecture.
It seems he also used much of this philosophy in his fashion which in my opinion played a huge role in his uniqueness while still staying so recognizable, one of Virgil’s most iconic traits. V’s original Masters was actually in Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology and was his main focus and passion before choosing to take that knowledge and apply it to fashion instead. You can see this inspiration in everything V did. From his @louisvuitton and @off____white accessories to his work with @arch___itecture and @alaska___alaska which If you haven’t seen yet, is a crucial part of Virgil’s design and creation process.
Whether it’s furniture or the space it sits inside, it seems Virgil has made a point to bring architectural design to as much of what we experience as possible and that’s also one of my favorite parts of V’s vision. His ideology to never settle or put his work In a box I believe is the same ethics that made him the icon he became for not only fashion but the design world as a whole. Although in Virgil’s short lifetime he was never able to do any full buildings, it’s obvious through his work that it was coming. What’s amazing about it though is that although he never did a building, I find he was fine with that and felt he could leave an even larger influence in other avenues.
In one of my favorite lectures Virgil ever did at Colombia University in 2017 where V said to a room full of architecture students “Young architects can change the world by not building buildings.” And that’s exactly what Virgil showed them they could do.
His relentless chase for change and acceptance through design is one that cements Virgil as one of the true world changers, showing through action to never settle, and that the only box you’re in is the one you put yourself in. ++ Thank you V.ph