The second annual Abloh Invitational honours Virgil Abloh's dedication to the global skate community

Last December in Miami, Nike and VA Securities honoured Virgil Abloh's enduring creative legacy with a four-day experience during Miami Art Week, rooted in events and exhibitions that manifested Abloh's Codes, or his methodological design principles that made his work instantly recognisable. Beginning 9 December, Virgil Abloh Securities and Architecture c/o Virgil Abloh™ will follow last year's breakthrough programming with the second annual Abloh Invitational in Miami, which brings together a diverse community of skaters, artists and cultural figures to further Virgil's mission to support the culture of skate.

Presented in partnership with Nike, the 2023 Abloh Skateboarding Invitational builds upon last year's event by hosting freeriding sessions, a best trick competition, a free public skate session and more.

"Virgil was dedicated to skate from his youth, immersing himself in skate culture's magazines, brands and film parts", says Shannon Abloh, Virgil Abloh Securities CEO and Managing Director. "Skateboarding shaped his interest in culture, community and creativity, and throughout his life, Virgil brought together athletes from various generations, backgrounds, skate styles and brand affiliations, using his cultural influence to support them and to continue to build the surrounding community".

"It's great to come and celebrate such a special person and get all these people together, and that's the one thing that Virgil really did—he brings a lot of different people that you didn't think would necessarily come together", says Eric Koston, Nike SB Athlete. "Skateboarding is about community, and you always want to bring up that next generation and help them out the best you can. Hopefully they take it from there and do what they want with it".

Community service was integral to Virgil's creative philosophy. He actively dedicated his time, knowledge and resources to foster the younger generation of creatives around the world. In line with this belief, a full day of the Invitational will be dedicated to community programming. The initiative, titled "FREE GAME", is based upon Virgil's open-source principles and is designed to help grant young creatives exclusive access to prominent figures, creators and innovators in skate. The programme includes a series of workshops, clinics, tutorials, training sessions and moderated discussions with leaders at the intersection of global design, art and skate.

"Virgil blended the worlds of art, fashion, culture, music and sport in ways that were dynamic and true. At this intersection, he and Nike inspired and invited more audiences to be a part of the conversation, and in turn, fostered a community where participation and partnership went hand in hand", says Leo Sandino-Taylor, Nike's VP of Catalyst Brand Management. "The second annual Abloh Skate Invitational is a celebration of this community through skate—the sport Virgil most identified with—and is an invitation for new generations to lift, riff and carry forth Virgil's legacy, whether on a deck or in the open canvas of one's mind". 

The two-day Invitational precedes the launch of two new colourways of the Off-White™ x Nike Terra Forma footwear, alongside a corresponding apparel collection, on 21 December. The Terra Forma silhouette, originally launched in December 2022, was the first original Nike sneaker designed from scratch by Virgil and Nike designers.

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About Virgil Abloh Securities

Virgil Abloh Securities, a Virgil Abloh-founded creative company, continues Virgil Abloh's legacy by upholding the far-reaching practice, teachings and ethos of the late creative visionary, led by Shannon Abloh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. The Virgil Abloh Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of Virgil Abloh Securities, where the Abloh family will continue advocating for greater equality and inclusion across creative industries, in particular increasing access and opportunities for diverse youth interested in pursuing creative careers and supporting cultural leaders and programmes that meaningfully uplift communities.

About Architecture

An architecture firm & film studio currently in practice. Founded by Virgil Abloh.