I’m of the opinion that good allies can support Black Lives Matter in a variety of ways both big and small. You can repost and spread awareness in your own social group. You can vote in every election and elect people who will affect social justice. You can work on political campaigns and social movements. You can donate money. You can offer your couch or guest bedroom to activists working in your city or county. You can go out and physically protest. You can make statements and videos and agitate in your own way, while ensuring that you’re not drowning out black voices. My point is that I’m not going to judge various celebrities or public people for doing allyship in different ways. But I will judge a wealthy fashion designer for complaining about looting and then only donating $50 for bail? So it is with Virgil Abloh, the man who charges hundreds of dollars for Off-White bags and hoodies and “streetwear.”
Since the protests have broken out and people have taken to the streets to express their support for the Black Lives Matter movement, many protesters have been arrested for ‘looting’ and ‘violence’. Several celebrities have come forward offering to pay for the legal expenses and release of the protesters who have been taken into custody. While celebrities like Chrissy Teigen have already pledged thousands of dollars to help out the imprisoned protesters, Virgil Abloh the founder and CEO of the premium brand ‘Off White’ and artistic director of menswear line at Louis Vuitton, had a very interesting way of expressing his support to the movement.
In the backdrop of protests, Abloh took to his Instagram to rant about ‘streetwear culture’ and slammed the protesters for ransacking Sean Wotherspoon’s store. He then said that the ones who have looted the merchandise should be ashamed of their actions. In another Instagram story, he posted a screenshot of his $50 contribution to Fempower, to help with the legal expenses of the arrested protesters.
People were left amused by his measly contribution of $50 when the designer is worth millions, and even his lowest priced merchandise costs more than the sum he donated. A user tweeted, “Is Virgil Abloh serious for donating 50$? Cheapppp b***h and he works in LV and Off white…” Another wrote, “Virgil is more upset at people looting the WHITE store then police brutality. Let’s remember that VIRGIL’s Offwhite employees are all white so he never cared for black people anyways.”
I mean… I’ll be generous for a moment – Abloh’s concern for small businesses seems genuine. I watched his Instagram Stories and he seemed upset about the idea that his designer friends and small shops (wealthy boutiques, if you will) will have to rebuild. And $50 is better than nothing. But man, that’s setting the bar low, especially for a black designer who has profited enormously from “streetwear” aka monetizing a sanitized version of black street-fashion for white folks. (Meanwhile, problematic Marc Jacobs refusing to take down his “black lives matter” IG after his store was destroyed is a whole-ass mood. Also: HOT TOPIC!)
I know Virgil Abloh is lying to me! Lmao. pic.twitter.com/H9JHTNF8MY
— “Aye aye aye” – Larry June (@yoyotrav) June 1, 2020
marc jacobs vs virgil abloh….
cringe. pic.twitter.com/wESurGHSbU
— ®️ (@RIFAYAYO) June 1, 2020
Period Hot Topic. This is how you do it. Might just go buy me a studded belt and some Riverdale leggings pic.twitter.com/CnqKDNZ1rL
— DRACARYS (@bria_tortilla) June 1, 2020
Photos courtesy of Backgrid.
That’s worse than donating nothing. It’s actually more offensive that he only donated $50.00. I donated $100, and I am middle class.
Assholes come in every colour.
This is really disappointing. I always liked Virgil Abloh and gave him a pass for his association with Kanye but looks like that pass is going to be revoked. Yes he would have been better not donating than donating $50.00 That is an insult especially from a man already under fire for not helping other black people.
he’s always been a loser. just an out of touch, social climber. rather he donate nothing. i don’t even half of his net worth and have been donating like its my day job
@Penguin. You are right as he has always been awful. It was a real affront when he was named to head up Burberry men’s line. The rumor on the fashion world is that his hand are so calloused by grasping the rungs of the social climbing. He is also notorious for stealing designs & concepts from others. Many of those on their way up which makes it more egregious.
@Penguin. You are right as he has always been awful. It was a real affront when he was named to head up Burberry men’s line. The rumor in the fashion world is that his hands are so calloused by grasping the rungs of the social ladder. It broken my heart a bit that Serena works w/him. He is also notorious for stealing designs & concepts from others. Many of those on their way up which makes it more egregious. He is trash
When I read the headline, I thought for sure there would be a correction coming, like a missing K or something?
I thought it was a typo too. As a WOC, I’ve seen this happen. People like him have been invited or accepted into mostly white spaces and don’t want to do anything to alienate or piss off his mostly white clientele.
Disappointing but not surprising.
It’s like leaving a penny for waitstaff. He’s sending a message. Small businesses ARE hurting, but the people who prioritize the businesses over the 400 years long subjugation of Black people in the United States tend to be conservative and out of touch with how disadvantaged people live. He’s sending a signal to the people he listens to: his white customers who can afford his clothes.
Same. I kept staring at it saying “$50 what?” Wow.
Some celebrities have been donating $20-$50 as part of chains on Twitter, which I think is a good thing since it draws attention to the chains and inspires fans to join the chain (donating a big amount as part of the chain would end the chain since not many people could match it).
It seems like this wasn’t a chain donation though? If so, then yeah, $50 is pathetic.
He’s been ripping off other designers for years, I’m not surprised he’s just a trashy person all around.
I went to bed last night because I just cannot take it.
I know I will be donating to bail for Ferguson and STL protesters and also to BLM organization.
I was looking for another and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund is it. Damn Hot Topic, you just gained a middle age customer.
If the merch at Hot Topic doesn’t catch your eye, Hot Topic also owns Torrid. Suddenly I’m feeling much better about the fact that half my wardrobe is from a Hot Topic-owned store.
Why am I not surprised to see a pic with Kanye West though lol
Garbage people stick together
I gauran-damn-tee his rich friends have insurance to cover the damage to their store.
This guy’s donation is beyond insulting.
are these wealthy boutiques not insured? could not the insurance money for the damage they suffered not also help them with recovery from people shopping less due to COVID?
seriously, when my donations are exponentially higher than someone who makes at least 10-20 times more than I do, there is something wrong with those rich folks
To paraphrase Philip Lim, Marc Jacobs, and other designers “things are replaceable, lives aren’t.” That’s what insurance is for.