Virgil Abloh: The Codes, a new European exhibition from the Virgil Abloh Archive in partnership with Nike, will spotlight the late designer’s work at the Grand Palais from September 30, Abloh’s birthday, through October 10.
Curators Chloe Sultan and Mahfuz Sultan selected works from Abloh’s archive to reveal nearly twenty years of creative vision. The exhibition presents over 20,000 items, including prototypes, sketches, personal collections, and selections from his library. Intentional collaborations with artists, designers, and athletes also feature prominently, offering a look into Abloh’s process and relationships.
Visitors can step inside Abloh’s imaginative process through prototype footwear, garment mock-ups, and unfinished concepts. Design sketches illustrate the evolution of his ideas, while curated chapters from his personal wardrobe and bookshelf add personal context. This exhibition encourages deep observation and engagement with Abloh’s creative approach.
The archives spotlight collaborations spanning fashion, art, and sport, shedding light on how Abloh worked across different fields. Each item invites reflection on the design choices and interactions that shaped his career.
Shannon Abloh, president and chair of the Virgil Abloh Archive, described this exhibition as only the first phase of sharing his vision. She said the project reflects Abloh’s goal of making information available and fostering creative partnerships. Presenting his personal items and unfinished works offers a rare opportunity for learning and inspiration.
“Through the Archive, Virgil will live on as a source of inspiration and beacon of creative knowledge,” Shannon explained. She emphasized that audience access to unfinished pieces and major works brings Abloh’s principles into public view and underscores his interest in collaboration and shared knowledge.
Curator Mahfuz Sultan characterized the exhibition as a “homecoming,” referencing Paris’s influence on Abloh’s creative practice. He noted that this show brings Abloh’s vision back to a city that profoundly shaped his career.
Sultan discussed the exhibit as a formal sharing of Abloh’s codes, his design vocabulary and visual language. He said the archive fosters generosity by inviting designers and artists to explore these codes on their own terms.
Beyond static displays, The Codes includes a program of workshops, performances, conversations, and screenings. These events aim to bring the archive into conversation with contemporary creators and perspectives. The lineup promises immersive and participatory formats that echo Abloh’s interest in shared experiences and collective creativity.
This showcase at Grand Palais marks the beginning of what Shannon Abloh describes as a long-term release of information, methods, and creative resources, just as Abloh intended.
