In the landscape of modern streetwear, Off-White™ stands as more than just a clothing brand — it’s a global fashion movement. Founded by the late visionary Virgil Abloh, Off-White™ bridged the gap between high fashion and street culture, influencing how the world sees fashion, identity, and luxury.
In this post, we dive deep into the cost, history, legacy, and ownership of Off-White™ — and why it continues to dominate wardrobes, runways, and social feeds alike.
The History of Off-White™: Where It All Began
Off-White™ was founded in 2013 by Virgil Abloh, a multi-disciplinary creative who blurred the lines between fashion, architecture, design, and music. Abloh’s journey began as a creative director for Kanye West, eventually leading him to create his first fashion project, Pyrex Vision. Although Pyrex was short-lived, it served as the blueprint for Off-White™.
Abloh launched Off-White™ in Milan, making it a luxury fashion house with a streetwear soul. The brand quickly caught global attention for its use of quotation marks, zip ties, industrial belts, and bold text-based branding — concepts that redefined modern fashion language.
By 2015, Off-White™ was nominated for the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, and by 2018, Virgil had been appointed Artistic Director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear, making him the first African-American to lead a major French fashion house.
The Cost of Off-White™: What Makes It So Expensive?
Off-White™ isn’t your average streetwear brand. Its prices reflect its luxury positioning, limited releases, and high-quality production — often made in Italy or Portugal.
Here’s what you can expect to pay:
| Item | Price Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Graphic T-Shirts | $300 – $500 |
| Hoodies | $500 – $800 |
| Sneakers (e.g., Off-Court) | $400 – $700 |
| Denim/Jeans | $600 – $900 |
| Jackets & Outerwear | $900 – $2,000+ |
| Accessories (belts, bags) | $200 – $1,000 |
Why so expensive?
-
Made in Europe using luxury materials
-
Small-batch, limited releases to create exclusivity
-
Collaborations with brands like Nike, IKEA, and Levi’s
-
Design influence of Virgil Abloh, whose cultural impact adds intrinsic value
The high cost is also justified by its dual appeal to streetwear fans and luxury fashion collectors alike.
Off-White™’s Legacy: More Than a Fashion Label
Off-White™ changed how fashion tells stories. Virgil’s signature use of quotation marks — e.g., “SHOELACES” or “FOR WALKING” — was more than gimmick; it was a postmodern commentary on how we perceive branding, value, and meaning.
Some key legacy highlights:
-
Cultural Fusion: Bridged hip-hop, art, architecture, and fashion.
-
Collaborations That Broke the Internet: Especially the Off-White x Nike “The Ten” collection, which remains one of the most hyped sneaker releases in history.
-
Inclusive Runways: Models of all ethnicities, genders, and sizes regularly featured.
-
Museum-Level Design: Pieces shown at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in Chicago during Abloh’s “Figures of Speech” exhibition.
Even after his passing in 2021, Virgil Abloh’s vision lives on. His mantra, “You can do it too”, continues to inspire a new wave of designers and entrepreneurs.
Ownership: Who Owns Off-White™ Now?
As of July 2021, LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) — the world’s largest luxury conglomerate — acquired a 60% majority stake in Off-White™. The remaining 40% was retained by Virgil Abloh’s estate and creative team.
Despite the acquisition, Off-White™ continues to operate independently under its own aesthetic direction, while collaborating occasionally with LVMH’s other brands.
Following Abloh’s death, Ibrahim Kamara, a stylist and editor, was appointed Art & Image Director, tasked with preserving the creative DNA that Virgil laid down.
Popular Off-White™ Pieces That Define the Brand
If you’re looking to start or expand your Off-White™ collection, these are some iconic must-haves:
-
Industrial Belt – The yellow belt that became a global streetwear staple.
-
Diag Hoodies – Featuring diagonal stripes on sleeves; a signature look.
-
Arrow T-Shirts – Large back graphics with abstract arrows.
-
Off-White x Nike Sneakers – Especially the Jordan 1, Blazer Mid, and Air Presto.
-
Binder Clip Bags – Minimalist handbags with a literal binder clip as hardware.
Final Thoughts: Off-White™ Is More Than Hype — It’s History
Off-White™ isn’t just about fashion — it’s about disruption, creativity, and culture. From redefining streetwear to challenging luxury fashion norms, the brand’s influence is everywhere.
Whether you admire it for its design ethos, Virgil’s legacy, or its cross-genre innovation, Off-White™ remains a cornerstone in the ever-evolving world of modern fashion.
