The Virgil Abloh Archive has announced Virgil Abloh: The Codes, the first major European exhibition dedicated entirely to the late designer’s life and work, in partnership with Nike.
Set to open at the Grand Palais in Paris from 30th September to 10th October, the retrospective will coincide with what would have been Abloh’s 44th birthday.
Curated by Chloe Sultan and Mahfuz Sultan, the exhibition will explore nearly 20 years of Abloh’s boundary-pushing career. It will feature pieces from his 20,000-object archive, including rare prototypes, original sketches, personal collections, and materials from his collaborations with artists, athletes, and cultural figures.
More than a fashion retrospective, The Codes highlights how Abloh reshaped design across fashion, music, architecture, and media, and helped redefine the visual language of streetwear. Collaborations with names such as A$AP Rocky, Takashi Murakami and Serena Williams will also be featured. The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of public programs, including talks, workshops, performances and film screenings, offering a deeper look into the ideas and communities that shaped Abloh’s creative universe.
Speaking on the exhibition, Shannon Abloh, the president and chair of Virgil Abloh Archive, stated: “This exhibit is just the beginning of our work to share Virgil’s legacy and principles with the creative community and the broader world. Sharing his personal collection, unfinished projects, and magnum opuses with the public is a monumental way we celebrate Virgil’s legacy and his commitment to making information accessible and collaborative. Through the Archive, Virgil will live on as a source of inspiration and beacon of creative knowledge.”
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