LVMH Sells Off-White to U.S.-Based Bluestar Alliance

In a major move within the luxury fashion industry, LVMH, the French multinational and undisputed leader in the world of high-end brands, has announced the sale of Off-White, the avant-garde fashion label founded by the visionary Virgil Abloh. The brand has been acquired by Bluestar Alliance, an American company specializing in brand management. With this acquisition, Bluestar Alliance strengthens its portfolio of fashion labels, which already includes prominent names like Hurley and the Dutch brand Scotch & Soda.

LVMH announces that it has sold Off-White LLC, the company that owns the Off-White brand, to Bluestar Alliance LLC

According to the official statement released by LVMH, a company renowned for its ownership of prestigious brands such as Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Loewe, the sale of Off-White has been finalized, although the financial terms remain undisclosed. Bluestar Alliance, a brand management firm that has successfully handled a diverse array of companies including Bebe, Elie Tahari, Justice, and Kensie, now adds Off-White to its expansive portfolio. This acquisition marks yet another chapter in the history of the firm, which was founded in 2006 by entrepreneurs Joseph Gabbay and Ralph Gindi. Their focus has been on overseeing and growing a range of fashion brands through a diversified distribution network. LVMH has expressed confidence that Bluestar Alliance is well-equipped to manage and protect the Off-White legacy, particularly in honoring the artistic and cultural contributions of its late founder, Virgil Abloh, who passed away in November 2021.

“LVMH takes pride in the legacy that Off-White has built under the visionary leadership of Virgil Abloh,” the luxury conglomerate stated. They further added that Bluestar Alliance is “the ideal partner to carry that legacy forward.” LVMH believes that Bluestar Alliance shares its deep commitment to respecting the creative integrity of Off-White and its founder. “We are confident that under Bluestar’s direction, Off-White will continue to innovate while remaining true to the brand’s spirit and values,” the company added.

LVMH Sells Off-White to U.S.-Based Bluestar Alliance

On Bluestar Alliance’s side, CEO Joey Gabbay emphasized the significance of this acquisition, stating that Virgil Abloh was “a creative pioneer who had a profound impact on both the global fashion industry and the creative community at large.” He added, “Acquiring Off-White is a unique opportunity for Bluestar Alliance to honor and build upon Virgil Abloh’s enduring legacy. His visionary approach to fashion deeply resonates with our core values.” Gabbay also highlighted Abloh’s groundbreaking ability to merge streetwear with high fashion, a skill that has left a lasting impact on contemporary design. “His ability to blend street culture with haute couture has laid a powerful foundation that aligns with our vision to foster innovation while embracing diversity.”

On the business front, Gabbay sees the acquisition of Off-White as a significant opportunity to provide the brand with “strategic investment” and to leverage Bluestar’s global network of resources. This, he believes, will ensure that the cultural and creative momentum that Abloh ignited will not only continue but thrive under Bluestar’s stewardship.

Off-White in the Hands of LVMH Since 2021

Off-White was founded in Milan in 2012, initially as an art project under the name “Pyrex Vision.” It wasn’t until 2013 that Virgil Abloh transformed this initiative into the fashion label Off-White, which soon became a cultural phenomenon. Over the years, Off-White established itself as a major player in the global fashion scene, and in 2015, Abloh debuted the brand at Paris Fashion Week. His meteoric rise in fashion, fueled in part by his close association with Kanye West, culminated in 2018 when Abloh was appointed as the artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear collections—a role he held alongside his duties at Off-White until his untimely death in 2021.

LVMH announces that it has sold Off-White LLC, the company that owns the Off-White brand, to Bluestar Alliance LLC

The business evolution of Off-White also reflects Abloh’s strategic vision. In 2019, Abloh granted an exclusive license to the Italian firm New Guards Group for the development, production, and commercialization of Off-White’s various collections. That same year, New Guards Group was acquired by Farfetch for $675 million. Despite this acquisition, Abloh retained full ownership of the Off-White brand until July 2021, when LVMH acquired a 60 percent stake in Off-White LLC, with the remaining 40 percent held by Abloh. This deal came just months before the tragic news of his declining health and subsequent death from cancer in November 2021.

It now seems that LVMH’s acquisition of Off-White may have been motivated by a desire to support Abloh’s family amid his health struggles, as well as to ensure that the designer’s legacy would be preserved within the fashion industry. That legacy now rests in the hands of Bluestar Alliance, which has taken over Off-White following the recent agreement with LVMH. For the time being, Off-White will continue to operate under the executive leadership of Cristiano Fagnani, who has served as CEO since June 2023. Creative direction will remain with Ibrahim Kamara, who was appointed in May 2022 to fill the creative void left by Abloh.

The acquisition by Bluestar Alliance marks the start of a new chapter for Off-White. With the combined expertise of both LVMH and Bluestar Alliance, the brand is set to continue its journey of innovation, pushing the boundaries of fashion while honoring the groundbreaking work of its late founder.

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