Milwaukee to pay tribute to the late designer Virgil Abloh on Nov 8

The Edessa School of Fashion announces HAUTE LIST VUR•JUHL, a tribute event honoring fashion visionary Virgil Abloh. The celebration will take place on November 8th, 2024, at Milwaukee’s Central Library Rotunda.

Abloh’s Wisconsin connection began at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he graduated in 2003 with a civil engineering degree. During college, he distinguished himself through sophisticated dinner parties and unique fashion choices, early indicators of his future impact on global fashion.

His commitment to Wisconsin continued through his 2015 Red Shirt™ program design collaboration, which created the Off-Scholarship fund for incoming UW-Madison freshmen. This dedication to education expanded by establishing his “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund in 2020, raising $1 million to support future Black fashion industry leaders.

Even after Abloh died in 2021, his influence persisted throughout Wisconsin. In 2022, both UW-Madison men’s and women’s basketball teams honored his memory by wearing special shooting shirts featuring his 2015 Red Shirt designs. Student-athletes expressed particular excitement about wearing pieces created by their inspirational alumnus.

As Louis Vuitton’s first African American artistic director and founder of Off-White™, Abloh broke significant industry barriers. He became the third Black person to lead a luxury fashion house, while his “I Support Young Black Businesses” project funded Black-owned enterprises. His influence extended beyond fashion into art, music, and architecture, creating opportunities for young Black creatives across multiple disciplines.

The upcoming tribute event will utilize all three floors of the historic rotunda and feature live performances by members of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and a Gospel Choir. The celebration partners with Milwaukee Public Library, America’s Black Holocaust Museum, and Wisconsin Black Chamber, strengthening community ties and cultural significance.

Dean of Academics Lynne R. Dixon-Speller emphasizes the shared Wisconsin educational foundation between Edessa and Abloh. The institution, Wisconsin’s only four-year college with minority leadership, maintains Predominantly Black Institution status in Milwaukee’s Third Ward. Under the leadership of President Jeffrey Speller and founder Lynne Dixon-Speller, the school offers comprehensive programs in apparel design and fashion marketing, requiring mandatory internships for real-world experience.

The event expects 350 attendees, including students and fashion industry leaders. VIP guests will receive priority seating, early rotunda access, and exclusive refreshments. Julie Rowley manages sponsorship opportunities through various donation options, with interested parties directed to contact [email protected].

Through this tribute, Edessa School of Fashion continues Abloh’s legacy of breaking barriers and creating opportunities in fashion education. The event celebrates his achievements and lasting impact on Wisconsin’s educational landscape and the broader fashion industry.