VIRGIL ABLOH ARCHIVE OPENS AT GRAND PALAIS IN PARIS

Summary

• Exhibition spans September 30 to October 10 at Grand Palais during Paris Fashion Week
• Display features 20,000 archived items including prototypes, sketches, and personal collections
• Programming includes workshops, performances, and screenings alongside the main exhibition

The Grand Palais will host "Virgil Abloh: The Codes" from September 30 through October 10 2025, marking the first major European exhibition dedicated to the late designer's work. The Virgil Abloh Archive™ has collaborated with Nike to organize the display, which opens on what would have been Abloh's birthday.

Curators Chloe Sultan and Mahufz Sultan have assembled materials from Abloh's extensive 20,000-object archive to document nearly two decades of his career. The exhibition will present prototypes, sketches, personal collections, and library materials that trace his creative process. Visitors will also see documentation of Abloh's collaborations with various artists, designers, and athletes throughout his career.

The collection spans Abloh's work across multiple disciplines, offering insight into his design methodology and creative approach. His personal archive includes both completed projects and unfinished works, providing a comprehensive view of his artistic practice.

Shannon Abloh, who serves as president and chair of the Virgil Abloh Archive™, described the exhibition as part of ongoing efforts to preserve and share her late husband's creative legacy. She emphasized the archive's mission to make Abloh's work and methods accessible to future generations of creators.

Mahfuz Sultan noted the significance of presenting Abloh's work in Paris, citing the city's influence on the designer's creative development. The exhibition represents the first major presentation of materials from the archive, with plans for future displays and educational programming.

The Grand Palais venue will accommodate additional programming beyond the main exhibition displays. Organizers have planned workshops, performances, dialogue sessions, and film screenings to complement the archival presentation, though specific details about these events remain forthcoming.

The timing coincides with Paris Fashion Week, positioning the exhibition within the broader fashion calendar. The ten-day run allows for substantial public access while maintaining focus on the archival materials and their educational value.

The exhibition marks a new phase for the Virgil Abloh Archive™, which was established to preserve and contextualize the designer's work following his death in 2021. The archive serves as both a repository for his creative output and a resource for researchers and practitioners interested in contemporary design.

Further information about programming and visitor access will be released as the September opening date approaches.