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The initiative is in conjunction with VA Securities
Nike and VA Securities are honoring the late Virgil Abloh with the newly announced “Virgil Abloh: The Codes c/o Architecture” exhibition.
The four-day event will take place during Art Basel in Miami in December as exhibits, discussions, and workshops will celebrate Abloh’s work and creative legacy.
The exhibition and its related programs will showcase the designer’s methodological principles — known as Abloh’s Codes — which are meant to be applicable to any medium, product or space. The Codes made his work, and particularly The Ten with Nike, both easily identifiable, translatable, and above all, timeless.
Virgil and Nike thrived together because he understood the brand’s role as a cornerstone of culture while Nike understood the importance of truly supporting creatives and their visions.
This beautiful four-day experience at Miami Art Week will honor their legacy together and champion both Virgil’s open-source methods and his genuine commitment to collaborating with and inspiring others.
Shannon Abloh, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Virgil Abloh Securities
In addition to the exhibition and accompanying program, The Codes will formally introduce the OFF-WHITE x Nike Terra Forma — the first original Nike sneaker designed from scratch by Abloh and Nike designers in 2022. The Terra Forma, along with an associated apparel line, releases later in December.
The event is designed to further Abloh’s legacy beyond an individual practice in an effort to establish a framework for an enduring open-source institution and invitation to design anchored in inspirational storytelling — continuing Abloh’s mission of building on the foundation for the next generation.
The depth of Nike’s partnership with Virgil materialized far beyond our iconic collaborations. His transparent design approach influenced our teams and inspired a new generation of young design talent to find their creative voice and share it with the world.
Championing Virgil’s Codes allows our community to take a deeper look into his practice, celebrate his legacy and evolve how his ethos can continue to empower fresh voices and perspectives. Ultimately, Virgil’s work with Nike invited more people into sport and design and created the future. This moment is a celebration of a true partnership showcasing what we’ve created together while also providing a peek into what’s next.
Leo Sandino-Taylor, Nike’s Vice President of Global Catalyst Brand Management
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