VIRGIL ABLOH: THE CODES

The Virgil Abloh ArchiveTM, in partnership with Nike, announces Virgil Abloh: The Codes, the first major European exhibition devoted to the work of Virgil Abloh (1980 – 2021), one of the 21st century's most influential designers.

On view at the Grand Palais from September 30 (Abloh's birthday) through October 9, 2025, the exhibition explores nearly two decades of Abloh's multidisciplinary output through the lens of his 20,000-object archive, bringing together hundreds of objects, prototypes, sketches, and images from Abloh's career, as well his personal collections and library. Curated by Chloe Sultan & Mahfuz Sultan, the exhibition serves as an expanded edition of the 2022 Virgil Abloh: The Codes exhibition, tracing how Abloh's signature design principles – his “codes” – thread through his work in apparel, footwear, architecture, music, advertising, and more, unifying a practice that spans multiple disciplines. The Codes also highlights Abloh's collaborations with several artists, designers, and athletes, underscoring the ethos of collectivity and creative dialogue at the heart of his work.

“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 how we celebrate Virgil's legacy and his commitment to making information accessible and collaborative. Through the ArchiveTM, Virgil will live on as a source of inspiration and beacon of creative knowledge,” said Shannon Abloh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Virgil Abloh Securities, Founder and Board President of the Virgil Abloh Foundation, President and Chair of Virgil Abloh ArchiveTM.

This exhibition is organized with support from the Virgil Abloh Foundation and Nike.