The Virgil Abloh Playbook: 12 Game-Changing Lessons for All of Us (Part 2)
A Weekly Newsletter for BOLD Thinkers | July 20, 2025 | Volume 25 Issue 08
by Stephanie Sabrina Warren
Above: In a testament to his enduring vision, Virgil Abloh's final Louis Vuitton SS '22 collection was unveiled just days after his passing, as he wished. The show became an emotional tribute, prominently featuring a monumental three-story statue of Virgil (shown front and back above).
Welcome to Part 2 of the Virgil Abloh Playbook. Last week, we began uncovering the genius of a man who engineered creativity and systematically reshaped industries. Now, we're diving even deeper into his most groundbreaking strategies, continuing to distill his wisdom to help you rethink what's truly possible for your own path. If you haven’t had a chance to read Part 1, you can get caught up HERE.
7. YOUR PURPOSE IS YOUR THROUGHLINE
Identifying the core motivation or driving force behind everything you create and do is essential. One of Virgil's most powerful "Ablohisms" was, "Everything I do is for the 17-year-old version of myself." This wasn't just a saying; it was his guiding principle that anchored every decision. He believed deeply in the power of art to inspire future generations, especially those who felt unseen or unheard. This unwavering ethos—this desire to communicate possibility to young minds—was the unifying throughline that seamlessly connected his groundbreaking work across fashion, art, music, and design. His clear purpose didn't narrow his opportunities; it expanded them exponentially, allowing him to express his singular message through diverse mediums and ventures.
For example, his core values of questioning traditional gatekeepers and fostering inclusivity directly fueled this purpose. He wasn't just designing clothes; he was actively dismantling barriers. This was evident in his establishment of the Post-Modern Scholarship Fund, created to empower Black fashion students, directly investing his resources to cultivate the next generation.
Similarly, his blockbuster "Figures of Speech" exhibition at MCA Chicago wasn't merely an art show; it was a deliberate act to bring high art and design to a broader, more diverse audience, making cultural spaces more accessible and inspiring those who might never have stepped foot in a museum. He was visibly challenging perceptions and opening doors, all in service of communicating possibility to that 17-year-old.
When you unearth your true "why," your purpose transforms into your most powerful differentiator, providing unparalleled clarity and focus for every decision. Instead of chasing trends, you create them, building from an authentic, unshakable foundation. Your purpose, like the soul of a strong brand (as we explored in Lesson 3), is intrinsically tied to your core values. These fundamental beliefs clarify and strengthen your "why," ensuring what you pursue genuinely aligns with what you truly stand for. "If you're struggling to articulate your 'why,' consider what that younger version of you truly admired and needed to hear, it might just be the compass you're looking for.
What purpose truly grounds your vision and decisions, in both your personal and professional life?
In a touching tribute after his passing, Virgil’s brand, Off-White, quotes one of his most memorable "Ablohisms," a sentiment that was also a throughline in everything he did.
8. Kindness, Audacity, and Success Can (and Do) Coexist
Achieving immense success and influence does not demand sacrificing your humanity, integrity, or compassion.
In a world that frequently idolizes the "ruthless" archetype of success, Virgil offered a profound counter-narrative. He was celebrated not only for his audacious vision and groundbreaking work but equally for his genuine kindness and generosity. As journalist Robin Givhan meticulously observed, "so many of those who shared their memories of him, began by noting that he was nice... his kindness was not an aside. It was central to his achievements and his enduring impact." Virgil understood that true power lay in connection and upliftment.
Beyond his personal demeanor, he actively and consistently gave back, demonstrating profound generosity with his time and resources. He freely offered his insights, giving lectures to countless students in engineering and architecture, openly sharing his unconventional path. He was also famously committed to an "open-source" philosophy for creativity, actively encouraging others to build upon his ideas. He'd share design files, sketches, and even his creative processes, effectively demystifying the industry and empowering emerging talents to innovate without proprietary barriers. This collaborative spirit and dedication to mentoring aspiring creatives personally showed he didn't just talk about values; he lived them, demonstrating through every action that you can be audacious, revolutionary, and deeply humane all at once.
There's a pervasive, toxic myth that to "make it" in business or any competitive field, you must be cutthroat, self-serving, or even unkind. We often see figures celebrated for their financial empires, with their questionable characters conveniently overlooked. Virgil shattered this notion. He proved that leading with empathy and integrity attracts the right people, builds unwavering trust, and creates a legacy that extends far beyond your balance sheet. Being decent is not a weakness; it might just be your most potent strategic advantage. It’s time we shifted our focus to honor those who exemplify both profound kindness and undeniable success, placing the right people on a pedestal.
How might a steadfast commitment to kindness and integrity redefine your own approach to leadership?
9. Choose optimism
To choose optimism is to consciously adopt a hopeful and proactive stance, especially when faced with systemic challenges and personal hurdles.
Virgil certainly had every reason to be angry. Operating as a Black man at the pinnacle of a predominantly white, exclusive industry, he navigated inherent biases and constant scrutiny. He often confessed, "I was reluctant to call myself a designer because I believed designers didn't look like me." Yet, publicly, he consistently chose optimism over resentment. When asked why he wasn’t louder about being "the only one in the room," his powerful, simple response was, "I choose optimism." He didn't need to scream to make his presence felt. Instead, he channeled that energy into relentless creation, challenging, and building.
This commitment to "choose optimism” was profoundly demonstrated by how he managed his private battle with cardiac angiosarcoma. For over two years, he kept his diagnosis and arduous treatments almost entirely private, known only to his closest circle. During this incredibly challenging period, he continued to lead Louis Vuitton menswear, run Off-White, launch major collaborations (like designing democratic home goods for the masses with IKEA), and deliver powerful lectures. His choice to let his work, rather than his suffering, speak to the world was the ultimate act of optimism - channeling his finite energy into tangible impact and maintaining strategic control of his narrative.
During his Harvard lecture, he cautioned against falling into the "everything sucks, the world is coming to an end" mentality, clarifying that this narrative it was nothing more than an "internal mechanism... to chill." This insight feels more relevant now than ever. In an age of constant crises and online outrage, it's easy to get trapped in a cycle of complaint. Virgil's work quietly but powerfully dismantled stereotypes, proving that sometimes, deliberate action often speaks louder than words.
There are a million valid reasons to feel angry or discouraged, especially when disrupting established systems or navigating personal adversity. But dwelling in negativity often becomes an excuse for inaction. Like Virgil, you have the choice to channel that energy into tangible change. Sometimes, quiet actions and persistent belief in what's possible can create a more profound ripple effect than public outcry. Virgil spent less talking about what was broken and more time quietly building what came next.
Are your daily words and actions casting votes towards hopelessness or optimism?
Two looks from Virgil’s first Louis Vuitton fashion show. He saw his path from Illinois to luxury fashion was his personal "Yellow Brick Road," mirroring Dorothy's journey to Oz. His iconic rainbow runway and Wizard of Oz attire (above) vividly symbolized diversity and inclusion, a colorful testament to the imaginative strength and optimism he brought to everything he touched.
10. don’t put yourself in a box
Avoiding arbitrary labels and self-imposed limitations opens limitless avenues for creativity and impact.
Virgil famously transcended traditional boundaries. Trained in architecture and engineering, he wasn't just a fashion designer; he was a DJ, artist, furniture designer, and profound cultural commentator. Because he refused to be confined to one discipline, he unlocked boundless possibilities for expressing his ideas across diverse mediums. He approached his work like an architect, aiming to "design the room the candle lives in" - a holistic view that considered context, culture, and ultimate impact. His renowned "Figures of Speech" work, where he used text and quotation marks, even allowed him to "design with a keyboard," communicating complex ideas through simple interventions.
Limiting yourself to a single definition or a prescribed path can stifle your greatest potential. Your unique blend of skills and interests can be your most powerful asset, allowing you to see connections others miss and create impact in unexpected spaces.
What labels are you willing to shed to unlock new avenues for your creativity and impact, in life or business?
11. embrace being the outsider
Embracing your unique background, "outsider" status, and unconventional traits as strengths can truly differentiate and empower you.
Virgil didn't just fit the mold; he broke it. That's precisely why he thrived. He was an engineer, not a fashion designer. He was Black in spaces historically built for whiteness. He remained humble in an industry brimming with ego. His success wasn't merely despite his "outsider" status; it was because of it. His non-traditional training freed him from adhering to conventional rules, allowing him to innovate fearlessly. Unlike the typical cutthroat archetype often seen at the top, his genuine kindness made him beloved and admired. He didn't prioritize product over ideas; instead, he used his work to tell stories and convey powerful messages. He wasn't just one thing; he was a multi-hyphenate who truly thrived by blending disparate worlds.
Stop trying to force yourself into molds that weren't designed for you. Your unique blend of experiences, unconventional perspective, and very "otherness" are your competitive advantage. These qualities allow you to see connections others miss, challenge ingrained assumptions, and create something truly original. Your authentic self is your most powerful asset; leverage every piece of it.
What aspects of your unique background or perspective are you ready to embrace and leverage as your greatest advantage?
12. Live in the “off-white"
Living in the "Off-White" means embracing the space between categories, challenging binaries, and finding creative power in juxtaposition. It's a mindset that frees you from rigid definitions and unleashes innovation.
For Virgil, "Off-White" was far more than a brand name; it was his foundational philosophy. It represented living outside strict boundaries, constantly crossing them, and forcing new perspectives. His "zig-zag" design approach, which drew clear lines between seemingly opposite concepts, meant he wasn't creating one thing or another, but something entirely new that thrived in the in-between. He aimed to cultivate spaces "where the tourists and the purists meet," producing work that functioned on multiple levels simultaneously. His famous use
of quotation marks allowed him to say "two things at the same time" - ironic yet profoundly insightful. Whether exploring the tension between streetwear and couture, high and low art, or commerce and philosophy, Virgil's genius lay in embracing contradiction. He was always zigzagging, remixing, and relentlessly asking what else something could be, proving that powerful ideas flourish by blurring traditional lines.
For you, this means recognizing that your greatest creativity and most impactful work often lie in those "off-white" spaces: the areas where traditional categories blend, clash, or don't quite fit. Don't limit yourself to predefined boxes or industry norms. Instead, embrace the "and" - the intersection of wellness and entrepreneurship, the blend of personal growth and strategic marketing, the fusion of diverse communities. That's where true innovation and resonance happen. That's where you'll discover your most authentic and impactful work, because the real power lies in the fertile ground of the in-between.
Where in your personal or professional life can you challenge existing categories and create something powerful in the "off-white" space?
Above: Louis Vuitton’s tribute to Virgil Abloh, with "Virgil Was Here" etched in the night sky by drones during their fashion show, and emblazoned across their store windows (below). A beautiful way to honor a profound legacy.
If you want to learn more about Virgil Abloh's work, I encourage you to check out the following:
Virgil Was Here - LV presents Virgil Abloh's Final Fashion Show. Just days after his passing, Louis Vuitton carried out Virgil's wishes to continue with the fashion show, paying tribute to the late designer in a beautiful way.
Drone Show - Following the fashion show, the drone show was such a cool way to honor Virgil. He would’ve appreciated how it was made accessible to everyone, not just those with a ticket to the main event.
Virgil Abloh: The Codes - Paris Exhibition 9/30-10/10/25
The Virgil Abloh Foundation - A non-profit org. focused on providing archives, programming, and creative industry impact, ensuring Virgil's legacy lives on.