Dear Gossips,  

Serena Williams was not at the SAG Awards with Venus Williams and the King Richard team on Sunday night in LA…because she was quite likely already in Paris preparing to walk in the late Virgil Abloh’s final Off-White show. Virgil and Serena collaborated many times, he called her his muse, and this was one of the most memorable fashion and function moments they created: the black tutu at the 2018 US Open. 

Serena Williams on day one of the 2018 US Open on August 27, 2018 at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadow, NY
 

It wasn’t just Serena who showed up on the runway for Virgil though. Naomi Campbell also walked yesterday. And Cindy Crawford too. 

Naomi Campbell walks the runway during the Off-White Womenswear Fall/Winter 2022-2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on February 28, 2022 in Paris, France
Cindy Crawford walks the runway during the Off-White Womenswear Fall/Winter 2022-2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on February 28, 2022 in Paris, France
 

There were more stars in the audience to celebrate Virgil Abloh’s contribution, and in such a short time. I should clarify though, because “contribution” isn’t accurate. It is not hyperbolic to say that Virgil Abloh revolutionised the fashion industry. Almost every corner of the culture would not look the way it does today without his influence. 

And even now that he’s gone, that influence lives on. Virgil passed away in November after a private battle with cancer but designed a whole ready-to-wear to haute couture collection before his death that will set the standard for many runways to come. For more on his final Off-White show, check out Vogue’s coverage and British Vogue’s analysis of the collection. 

Yours in gossip,

Lainey