From a very young age, as a teenager, I was into hip-hop and skateboarding and all those things that were akin to a kid in the '90s. All those things are what resulted in clothes.
In this quote, Virgil Abloh, a renowned fashion designer and artistic director, reflects on his early influences that shaped his passion for clothing and fashion. He traces his interests back to his teenage years when he was deeply involved in hip-hop, skateboarding, and the broader youth culture of the '90s. These cultural movements, which were heavily linked to style and self-expression, inspired Abloh’s later work in fashion. For him, his love for these elements laid the foundation for his career in creating clothes that reflected the values and aesthetic of his generation.
Abloh’s statement highlights how personal experiences and cultural influences can shape one’s artistic and professional journey. The '90s were a formative period in fashion, as they saw the rise of streetwear and the fusion of music, sports, and fashion. Abloh’s immersion in these subcultures contributed to his understanding of how clothing could be a form of expression, not just a practical necessity. His interest in hip-hop and skateboarding helped him see fashion as an extension of personal identity and cultural belonging.
The origin of this quote lies in Abloh’s unique background in both the worlds of music and fashion. Before achieving global recognition as the founder of Off-White and the artistic director for Louis Vuitton’s men’s wear, Abloh was deeply connected to urban culture, which heavily influenced his design philosophy. He often cited these early interests as key to his creative process, where he merged street culture with high fashion to create something distinctly modern.
Ultimately, Abloh’s words underscore the idea that fashion is not just about clothes, but about the cultural and personal influences that shape how we express ourselves. His journey from a teenage fan of hip-hop and skateboarding to one of the most influential designers in contemporary fashion demonstrates how early experiences can have a profound impact on an individual's creative vision. The quote celebrates the power of cultural expression and how it can inspire innovation in fashion.
NNNhi Nguyen
There's a raw honesty here that makes me reflect on how fashion often feels disconnected from its roots. Abloh reminds us that behind great design is often a story—a personal history of trial, error, and subcultural immersion. Do we value that enough in the fashion world today, or are we too focused on aesthetics over narrative? Should fashion schools teach culture and personal storytelling as seriously as they teach construction?
YNYen Nhy
As someone who wasn’t into hip-hop or skateboarding, I still find Abloh’s statement relatable. It’s about more than just the activities—it’s about how our early environments shape our taste and outlook. But I do question whether our current generation of creatives will have the same direct-to-culture pipeline, or if it's all becoming too filtered through branding and commercialization. Can something born from rebellion remain genuine once it's mainstream?
CMChangg Maii
Reading this, I can't help but admire how Abloh turned his teenage interests into a globally respected design philosophy. But it also makes me wonder about accessibility—how many young people today have their creativity nurtured versus suppressed? Would Virgil have found success if he were growing up in a less supportive or more rigid environment? His quote opens a window into how culture and opportunity must intersect for true innovation to happen.
MTNguyen Minh Tam
This quote feels nostalgic in a very specific, tangible way. I appreciate how Abloh doesn’t romanticize his influences—he just lays them out plainly. It makes me think: how many people underestimate the cultural power of what’s seen as 'youth hobbies'? Hip-hop and skateboarding weren’t just pastimes; they were lifestyles that gave people a voice. Why are we only now recognizing how valuable these subcultures are to industries like fashion and art?
MLDang Tran Mai Linh
It's interesting how Abloh connects youth culture with creative output. As someone who grew up in the 2000s, I resonate with this idea of formative cultural exposure shaping who you become professionally. But I’m also curious—do today’s teens have the same freedom to explore culture organically, or are they too managed by algorithms and curated feeds? Are we losing the authenticity that Abloh speaks of due to the homogenization of digital culture?