In a surprising move, luxury conglomerate LVMH has sold Off-White LLC, the fashion label founded by the late Virgil Abloh, to New York-based brand management firm Bluestar Alliance. The announcement, made via a press release on Monday, caught many in the fashion world off guard, as LVMH had acquired a majority stake in the brand just three years ago.
Virgil Abloh, a Ghanaian American designer known for his groundbreaking fusion of streetwear and high fashion, passed away in November 2021. LVMH expressed its pride in Off-White’s growth under Abloh’s visionary leadership, stating that Bluestar Alliance is well-positioned to continue his legacy.
“Virgil was a creative pioneer who reshaped the global fashion industry,” Bluestar Alliance CEO Joey Gabbay said in the release. “Acquiring Off-White gives us a chance to honor and expand upon Abloh’s legacy. His ability to seamlessly merge street culture with high fashion has set a foundation that aligns perfectly with our mission of fostering innovation while celebrating diversity.”
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Though financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed, the acquisition adds Off-White to Bluestar’s portfolio of brands, which includes names like Hurley, Bebe, and Scotch & Soda.
Despite the sale, Off-White will continue its partnership with Farfetch’s New Guards Group (NGG) holding company, under a licensing agreement that remains in place until 2026. Industry insiders are speculating about how this change in ownership might affect the future of the brand’s operations and its ongoing collaborations.
The timing of the sale comes just after Off-White’s recent return to New York Fashion Week under the creative leadership of Ibrahim Kamara, who succeeded Abloh as creative director in 2022. Kamara’s direction had been seen as a potential turning point for the brand, which has faced challenges since its founder’s passing.
LVMH, meanwhile, is navigating its own financial hurdles, with a reported 14 percent drop in net profits as luxury revenues have stalled globally. The sale of Off-White marks a significant strategic shift for the company, which continues to manage 74 other high-profile brands, including Louis Vuitton and Dior.
As the fashion world absorbs this latest development, many are watching closely to see how Bluestar Alliance will steer Off-White in the post-Abloh era, particularly as the brand strives to balance its streetwear roots with the high fashion ethos that Abloh so masterfully cultivated.
