On Thursday, rumors began to swell suggesting that Virgil Abloh, founder and creative director behind cult-favorite streetwear phenomenon Off-White, would be heading to Versace.
Glossy’s Jessica Schiffer first reported the speculation, citing two anonymous sources for the tip. However a representative for Versace tells The Hollywood Reporter that the rumor is unfounded. Representatives for Off-White and Abloh declined to comment.
The rumor mill has been hard at work over the past six months, first spinning that Abloh was headed to Givenchy to fill the creative director-shaped hole left by Riccardo Tisci, who vacated the post in February. Givenchy denied those rumors, and a few months later hired Chloe’s Clare Waight Keller for the job — making her the first female creative director in the French fashion brand’s history. She will be making her debut at Paris Fashion Week in October.
Tisci himself had also reportedly been in talks to take the reins at Versace — however those rumors have since died down, instead replaced by more speculation that differences between Tisci and Donatella Versace over the brand’s direction caused a deal to fall through.
Off-White has come a long way since Abloh was “discovered” by Kanye West in 2003 and served as the musician/designer’s creative director. The brand is a favorite among hype beasts and editors alike, and has found uber-successful collaborations with a range of unexpected brands (Ikea, Warby Parker) as well as the expected (Nike). In addition to helming one of the most talked-about brands of the moment, Abloh also finds time to play DJ, too.
