American fashion designer Virgil Abloh is to join London’s Royal College of Art (RCA) as a Visiting Professor, enabling students to “benefit from his wealth of experience as a leading figure in international fashion and design”.
As part of the role Virgil will lead masterclasses and talks throughout the academic year, as well as offering unique employment opportunities with RCA’s students and alumni.
In a statement released announcing news of his new position within the college, Virgil says: “It’s with great honour I join the RCA as a Visiting Professor to reinforce the importance of education and hands on mentorship of future generations.”
Sir Jony Ive, RCA Chancellor adds: “Virgil is a true force for change – a powerful combination of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, whose experience and mentorship will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of creative innovators to realise the full value of their potential. I’m thrilled that he’s agreed to help us with our work at the College.”
Zowie Broach, RCA Head of Fashion comments further: “Virgil embodies the RCA’s spirit of collaboration and ingenuity – he is a designer and polymathic entrepreneur who has combined the fields of art, architecture, craft and design. Ultimately, the way he uses his practice to create social change is inspiring.”
Virgil Abloh has been the artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection since March 2018 – he is the first African American to hold this position at the Maison. He is also the Founder and CEO of Milan-based label Off-White, a fashion house he founded in 2013.
