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Naomi Campbell, Serena Williams, Cindy Crawford, and more walked in Off-White’s Paris Fashion Week show honoring the late designer.
Paris Fashion Week opened with a show from Off-White—the first following the death of its founder, Virgil Abloh. The Fall-Winter 2022 collection is reportedly the final collection Abloh oversaw for Off-White, making this fashion show his last. Abloh passed away in November 2021 at age 41.
Superstars turned out to honor Abloh in his last show titled, “Spaceship Earth, an ‘Imaginary Experience.'” The women who walked the catwalk included tennis star Serena Williams, supermodels Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Helena Christensen, and models of the moment Gigi Hadid, Kaia Gerber, and Adut Akech.
Tennis legend Serena Williams made a surprise appearance on the catwalk. “Virgil meant so much to me, and to walk in a collection that he was still a part of was something I could not miss. Thank you for the opportunity. I am so grateful to show love to my friend,” Williams wrote on Instagram. Abloh designed many tennis kits for Williams, including her famous French Open catsuit, and the two collaborated on a Nike collection in 2018.
Naomi Campell last walked in an Off-White show in 2017, and made her return for Virgil’s final collection. Watch a conversation between Naomi and Virgil here.
After the show, Crawford posted a video of herself walking, captioning it, “This one’s for Virgil 🕊❤️.”
Danish supermodel Helena Christensen closed the show. 53-year-old Christensen’s appearance alongside Campbell, 51, and Crawford, 56, marked the first time the three “original supermodels” walked the runway together since the 2017 spring/summer Versace show.
Kaia Gerber joined her mom Cindy Crawford on the runway. She walked with a cellphone and sunglasses in hand, and posed with her mom backstage before the show.
“Virgil inspired everyone,” Kloss told Bustle. “He was a true visionary, who saw the future of luxury as both accessible and creative, and he always maintained his kind, Midwest demeanor. In 2019, I had the honor of walking in his show with an extraordinary yellow gown, complete with a 20-foot train. The dress was constructed at the show, with seamstresses stitching up to last minute. It wasn’t fit in the atelier! It was larger than life, just like Virgil.”
Gigi Hadid and Virgil Abloh were close friends, and Hadid walked in many of his shows over the years.
Hadid wrote on Instagram after his passing: “I am heartbroken by the loss of my dear friend, and a friend to the world, Virgil Abloh. He was 1 of 1. His kindness and energetic generosity left a lasting impression on every life he touched— he made everyone feel seen and special. He will be deeply missed, cherished, and celebrated by me and all the people and industries that have been lucky enough to work around & know the true supernova behind this man.”
Honey Dijon—an American DJ, producer, and electronic musician—was one of the few who walked who aren’t full-time models. She wrote on Instagram, “Thank you to the Abloh Family for inviting me to be a part of the last collection designed by Virgil. It was his night and so many incredible people came out to express their love for a man who touched so many,” calling it “a night to remember.”
Abloh, a DJ himself, gifted Dijon with custom DJ gear back in 2019.
American model and actress Amber Valletta joined the crew of famous supermodels walking in the show. Valletta, 48, posted a video of the show on her Instagram, writing, “For Virgil always 🕊💗.”
Joan Smalls wore a “no snitchin” gown down the runway, paired with a hat that read “High Fashion,” and posted on her Instagram after the show, “Snitches get stitches 🚫”
Of the experience, Smalls told Bustle, “It will be forever special to me. I felt so strong, powerful, and bold.. He was truly a genius and I will miss his spirit, creativity, and drive. Virgil was truly one of a kind.”
Bella Hadid, also a staple of Off-White runways, joined her sister Gigi in walking in Abloh’s final Off-White show. A photograph of Bella was used to announce the theme of the show on Off-White’s Instagram yesterday.
“You really saw me and supported me on every level. As you did to so many of us. An ethereal light. You always inspired to keep pushing, work hard and be kind,” Hadid wrote on her Instagram when Abloh passed away. “Fly high my Libra brother. I know you’re watching over the world now. I love you for life.”
Kendall Jenner wore a “Little Black Dress” down the runway. After the show, Jenner posted on her Instagram “V FOREVER we miss you 🤍.”
In a tribute to him this past fall, Jenner wrote, “if you had the privilege of knowing Virgil, you were one of the lucky ones. he was the kindest, most positive, humble, joyful, and full of light person i have ever known. he had the most wonderful way of making you feel so special. his genuine smile would warm your heart. to battle his illness privately perfectly explains the type of man he was, he never wanted anyone to worry about him. we have lost a dear friend. no words do my feelings justice at this very moment, but what i can say is that i am absolutely heartbroken.”
South African model Candice Swanepoel, best known for her work with Victoria’s Secret, made a surprise appearance in the Off-White show.
South Sudanese model of the moment Adut Akech was also seen on the runway. She last walked for Abloh in February 2019 and in September 2018.
“It was an honor to know and be in your presence Virgil. To work with you and be in your creative world. Thank you for all that you’ve done for the culture,” she wrote on Instagram after his passing. “We’ve lost a real one. But your legacy will live forever.”
Stylist Bloody Osiris typically works behind the scenes—but walked the runway for the first time in honor of Abloh. The creative carried a “QUESTION EVERYTHING” flag, a longtime motto of the late designer. Osiris had previously worked styling Abloh’s fashion shows.
As he wrote on his Instagram, “went from Flagging in the STREET 2 Flagging on the RUNWAY 🏴☠️🖤 Miss you Virg.”
British singer Ama Lou made her Paris Fashion Week debut in the show. Lou, born Ama Louisa John, performed this fall at Business of Fashion‘s tribute to the designer.
Italian supermodel Bianca Balti returned to the Paris Fashion Week runway for Virgil Abloh. The last time she walked was in his Fall/Winter 2021 collection in Paris.
She posted on her Instagram stories after the show, “You were here. You are here. You’ll always reside in the courage of our hearts.”
Fellow Italian supermodel Mariacarla Boscono also walked in the show.
American skateboarder Ishod Wair made his runway debut in the show. Wair, 30, turned pro in 2011, and joined Serena Williams as an athlete model.
“The confident stepper no matter what stage I’m on. My first in show walk!! Thank you @off____white and thank you @virgilabloh!! it’s really #virgilforever 🕊❤️” he wrote on his Instagram.
Brazilian model Lais Ribeiro was part of the crew of famous models who walked in the show.
As one fan tweeted, “this off-white show .. legendary .. imagine having gigi and bella hadid candice swanepoel karlie kloss naomi campbell cindy crawford lais ribeiro all in the same show 😭 people died I’m people.”
British supermodel and singer-songwriter Karen Elson, 43, walked in the show, casually smoking a cigarette in a smoking jacket. She later wrote on Instagram stories, “I don’t really smoke but sometimes you’ve got to do what it takes.”
“Rest in Power Virgil 🕊 You are dearly missed,” Elson posted on her Instagram with a selfie.
Here is British singer Ian Isiah walking the runway. Isiah is a longtime collaborator of Abloh, who performed at his Louis Vuitton show in 2019.
“So Blessed to be able to honor and celebrate your legacy every time I get the chance to,” he wrote on Instagram. “So Honored to open for your couture debut. In this video I held back a lot of weird/joyful tears , but somehow dancing and smoking weed in a couture show full of elite supermodels who loved you as well made things much easier in real time . Eternal Blessings to the family ( Shannon I Love You & The Kids ) , And to everyone that keeps Virgil’s Legacy Flowing. @off____white is and will always be family to me . #VIRGILFOREVER”
Rapper Jim Jones also walked the runway, and Kanye West posted a screenshot of Jones walking in the show. Jones, 45, posted a play-by-play of his experience in the fashion show for his 3 million instagram followers. In one post, he wrote, “RiP @virgilabloh u kept ur word even in heaven,” and in another, “Safe to say I’m a professional model…I had a blast even when u out ur element if u confident they always in ur element.”