Photo: Edward Berthelot/Getty
Late designerVirgil Ablohwas saluted for his influence and creativity at The Fashion Awards 2021.
ActorIdris Elbatook the stage just ahead of the event with a special tribute Monday, stating, “I lost a friend, his wife lost a husband, the fashion industry lost a legend, and the world lost a special human being.”
He remembered Abloh as “one of the few people I could have a conversation [with] about multitasking,” adding, “But he didn’t do it for the fame or the money, he did it to inspire others.”
Abloh was also one of 15 designers, brands, creatives, and individuals recognized as leaders of change at The Fashion Awards 2021. The event acknowledged Abloh and other fashion icons like Stella McCartney and Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele for their influence in helping the environment, people, and creativity over the past year.
The honor comes one day after Abloh’s family announced his passing onInstagramSunday.
The statement revealed that Abloh “valiantly battled a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma” after deciding “to endure his battle privately since his diagnosis in 2019.”
Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty
The statement said that he suffered “numerous challenging treatments, all while helming several significant institutions that span fashion, art, and culture.”
His close friend, Grammy-winning rapperKanye West, dedicated his Sunday Service to Abloh just hours later.
“In loving memory of Virgil Abloh, the creative director of Donda,” West, 44, wrote in a message that remained on the site after the event.
During the service, West’s choir performed a revised version ofAdele’s latest single “Easy on Me” from her new album30.
For the first verse, the choir delivered a modified set of lyrics. “I know your love flows like a river, and I could wash myself in it forever,” they sang. “I know there is hope in these waters, but I can’t bring myself to swim when I am drowning in my sin.”
The chorus was changed to: “Go easy on me, father. I am still your child, and I need a chance to feel your love around.”
Kim Kardashian Westalso grieved the loss onInstagramTuesday. She captioned a carousel of special memories, “God doesn’t make mistakes. I know that but I still can’t help but ask why. Why Virgil?! Why him so soon? it’s simply hard to understand why. I have a hard time understanding why so many pure souls were taken away so early.”
She added that Abloh was “always so gentle, kind and calm” and “somehow made time for everyone.”
“We also talked about your superpower of calmness often,” Kardashian West continued. “You always gave so much of yourself to the world because you wanted it to be doper. This one is hard to process. I can’t even believe I am writing this… We will miss you so much Virgil and love you so much.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly newsletterto get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.
source: people.com
