the virgil abloh c/o VITRA collection explores the urgent need for inclusivity in design

architect, DJ, artist, entrepreneur, artistic director of louis vuitton and founder of off-white, virgil abloh, collaborates with VITRA for a second time to unveil three limited and numbered edition products available for purchase exclusively in north america. the virgil abloh c/o VITRA products will be presented by Basic.Space via a unique URL experience that will bring the collection IRL to the miami design distric with an installation created by abloh’s london-based studio alaska alaska, powered by cash app.

known for pushing boundaries and using creativity to communicate socio-political messages, virgil abloh’s latest collaboration with VITRA explores the urgent need for inclusivity in design. its aim is to invite people of all generations, races and backgrounds to have conversations about social issues and design topics. this continues with the TWENTYTHIRTYFIVE project presented at the zaha hadid-designed fire station at the VITRA campus in 2019, where abloh showcased his vision of a home in 2035.

‘my mission has not changed,’ comments virgil abloh. ‘my hopes for this collaboration are to further strengthen this bond with the new generation, providing them with further inspiration, as well as room for thought and a sense of inclusion. this collaboration invites the new generation into the conversation – my work is meant to open doors for them.’

‘practicing and welcoming inclusion – I created the “post modern” scholarship fund in an effort to do just that,’ abloh continues. ‘the mission of the fund is to foster equity and inclusion within the fashion industry by providing scholarships to students of academic promise of Black, african-american, or african descent; recipients will not only be provided with funds, but will also be given access to vital career support services and mentoring. art and good nature can change the world, I refuse to believe otherwise.’

the virgil abloh c/o VITRA: US edition collection comprises three pieces — a ceramic block and two products designed by french architect jean prouvé: the petite potency lamp (1942) and the antony armchair (1950s), both reimagined in baby blue. by hacking these historic pieces, abloh showcases the power of design to evolve in order to speak to a new generation.

‘what I find particularly inspiring about virgil abloh is that he comes to the table as an outsider, with a fresh look at our collection and a different pace, free of constraints,’ says nora fehlbaum, VITRA CEO. ‘I’m interested in the way that he structures knowledge and passes it on to a new generation in such a condensed manner. he manages to shift the topic of design classics away from the discourse of an intellectual elite to make them accessible to a wider public.’

the virgil abloh c/o VITRA: US edition will be physically unveiled in an installation taking place at 140 NE 39th street in miami. the physical setup directs the visitor’s gaze to the future with a wall of consecutively numbered baby blue bricks. for abloh, these glazed ceramic objects are not just a structural element but also a storage one. the limited exhibition edition comprises 999 ceramic blocks, each with a noticeable numeral that makes it unique and can be purchased directly at the Basic.Space gallery, modifying the structure of the installation, or on the curated online marketplace Basic.Space.

‘we’re excited to partner with virgil abloh and VITRA on this thought-provoking collection, one that embodies inclusivity and design, while inviting a new audience to experience something unique. this collaborative release captures the essence of Basic.Space where brands and creatives can manifest their vision effortlessly both online and offline,’ concludes jesse lee, founder of Basic.Space.