Although the collections came and went like wildfire, a few pieces can still be spotted on the market. Just this summer, a gilded version of Virgil’s infamous Alaska doorstop chair was a central feature on display at Christie’s Hamptons location for a pop-up with Carpenters Workshop Gallery. The iconic receipt rug from his IKEA collection—originally priced at $68—is now fetching upwards of $5,000 on sites such as 1stdibs.
A few weeks after his passing, Louis Vuitton paid a touching tribute during Art Basel in Miami for his final collection. Viewers watched as an LV logo-covered air balloon with a young boy ventured off into the sky, accompanied with audio from Virgil: “I’ve been on this focus, in terms of my art and creativity, of getting adults to behave like children again. That they go back into this sense of wonderment. They start to stop using their mind, and they start using their imagination,” his voice carried as the film faded.
One thing is clear: Just like his inspirational words, Virgil’s creations are there to stand the test of time and inspire the childlike spirit in many—far more than six young Black kids. Below, a few Black creatives from fashion to furniture share the impact of his life, and passing.
Heron Preston, fashion designer
“Virgil was really great at seeing the potential in someone when that someone was not able to see it in themselves. He was able to push people and make people feel so incredibly confident in themselves that being around him was so special. Virgil was a magnet for positivity and possibilities; just his presence and being able to call him a friend was a blessing. He made it seem so easy to break down these walls. He helped us dream, see possibilities, give us opportunities that were so specific to build our own craft. Virgil could make you feel like you could conquer the world after having a conversation with him.”
Jared Blake, cofounder of Lichen
“The weight of what he was carrying for this culture we participate in is felt by the void he left behind. In the moment of his passing we became increasingly responsible for the furthering of whatever we’re supposed to do with the torch. If you take that flame and decide to go the design route as a Black creative, it’s more possible to comprehend because of Virgil.”
Fresco Stee*z, community activist and designer
“Virgil intentionally created at the intersections of culture, art, and design. Virgil’s extensive body of work engaged his audience in a curiosity of the social structure, status quo, and the conditions that we collectively face. In doing so, Virgil’s journey served as a possibility model for Black artists and designers like myself to see ourselves, and the culture we create, as central to the creative world, despite being a white-dominated field. Virgil leaves us with a legacy that challenges the traditional paths for artists and opens up the worlds of art and design to people from all walks of life.”
Jerald “Coop” Cooper, founder of Hood Midcentury Modern
“I can’t stop thinking about the act of archiving. Or the void that exists as I scroll on Instagram. Not seeing that [avatar] lit up with new vibes, perspective, and endless inspiration.
There is a void.
Imagine what we witnessed. Image, daily. Being able to see into the mind of one of the greatest designers ever. It’s been safe to say that V is one of the illest American designers of all time. But this was happening in front of our eyes.
There is a void.”
