LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton sells Off-White to Bluestar Alliance

This story was updated on September 30 at 2:55 pm EST

MILAN – LVMH has sold Off-White LLC, the company that owns the Off-White brand, to New York-based Bluestar Alliance LLC.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

The late Virgil Abloh founded Off-White in 2012.

“Virgil was a creative pioneer who had a profound impact on the global fashion industry and creative community. “The acquisition of Off-White represents a unique opportunity for Bluestar Alliance to honor and build on the enduring legacy of Virgil Abloh,” said Joey Gabbay, CEO of Bluestar Alliance.

“His visionary approach to fashion aligns with our core values. Abloh's ability to combine street culture with high fashion has laid a strong foundation that aligns with our vision of fostering innovation while embracing diversity. The acquisition of Off-White and the opportunity to make strategic investments and build on our global network of resources will enable the continuation of the cultural and creative momentum that Virgil has sparked and aims to further propel the Bluestar Alliance forward.”

Founded in 2006 by Gabbay and Ralph Gindi, Bluestar Alliance owns, manages and markets a portfolio of consumer brands ranging from Hurley, Scotch & Soda and Bebe to Elie Tahari, Kensie, Justice, Catherine Malandrino, Nanette Lepore, English Laundry and Brookstone Enough, Joan Vass and Limited Too.

In a statement from LVMH on Monday evening, the group said it was “proud of the legacy that Off-White has built under the visionary leadership of Virgil Abloh.” Bluestar Alliance is the perfect partner to continue this legacy. Bluestar Alliance shares our commitment to respecting creative integrity and we are confident that under her leadership, Off-White will continue to innovate while respecting the spirit and values ​​of the brand.“

LVMH acquired a majority stake in Off-White LLC in 2021. Under this agreement, LVMH was to increase its stake in Off-White LLC to 60 percent, with Abloh retaining a 40 percent stake and continuing to serve as the label's creative director.

The agreement strengthened the relationship between LVMH and Abloh, who was then artistic director of men's collections at Louis Vuitton, a position he had held since March 2018.

LVMH previously held a minority stake in Off-White's branding business.

Details regarding the future of current art and image director Ibrahim “Ib” Kamara have not been announced.

Kamara, who was appointed to the position in spring 2022, debuted the brand's first New York fashion show in September. The show took place at the waterfront community basketball courts of Brooklyn Bridge Park and gathered a stellar front row, including Flavor Flav (with his special guests, Olympic water polo player Ashleigh Johnson), Camila Cabello, Leon Bridges, Suni Lee, Lena Waithe and Issa Rae, Aryna Sabalenka, Frances Tiafoe, Ayan Broomfield, Paris Jackson, Zayn Malik, Victoria Monét and Mary J. Blige.

Kamara succeeded Abloh, who died in 2021 at the age of 41.

Kamara, one of Abloh's close associates, was born in Sierra Leone and took refuge with relatives during Gambia's 11-year civil war before settling in London at the age of 16.

Kamara is known for her work that explores gender codes, queerness and black identity – all topics that Abloh has brought from the sidelines to the center of the luxury conversation. Abloh was born in Rockford, Illinois, to Ghanaian immigrant parents. He championed black talent and established a scholarship fund for black fashion students.

Kamara has been part of the Off-White family for years and designs the brand's shows. In addition, she is the preferred stylist of many other fashion designers, from Riccardo Tisci to Erdem Moralioglu. Before taking the top job at Dazed, he produced editorials for companies such as iD, System, Vogue Italia and Another Magazine.

Off-White, Abloh's first official fashion venture, launched online in late 2013 and held its first showroom presentation in Paris the following January with designs that combined influences from Bauhaus to sportswear to Caravaggio. It established the brand's visual signature: thick diagonal stripes that have become the epitome of insider cool.

The late Ghanaian-American designer expanded the brand to womenswear within 18 months of its launch. In 2015, Off-White made the LVMH Young Fashion Designers shortlist, crystallizing streetwear as a credible challenger to the luxury status quo and cementing its close ties with the French group.

Off-White has been licensed to New Guards Group and is led by CEO Cristiano Fagnani. Farfetch acquired New Guards Group, which houses brands from Palm Angels to Alanui, for $675 million in 2019. Late last year, Coupang took control of Farfetch.

The deal comes during a busy few days for LVMH, which teamed up with Remo Ruffini on Thursday to increase its stake in Moncler. Stanhope Capital acted as exclusive financial advisor to LVMH on the Off-White transaction.