Matthew M. Williams / 1017 ALYX 9SM
If you admire Off-White's industrial-meets-luxury aesthetic, Matthew M. Williams is a natural next step. A friend and collaborator of Abloh's in the art collective Been Trill, Williams shares a similar sensibility for turning utilitarian hardware into
high-fashion status symbols. His brand, 1017 ALYX 9SM, is famous for its rollercoaster buckle, a piece of hardware inspired by a Six Flags ride that became a must-have accessory. Williams blends Californian skate culture with brutalist design and meticulous craftsmanship, creating a look that is both rugged and refined. His tenure at Givenchy from 2020 to 2024 further cemented his ability to merge street-level credibility with Parisian luxury, a path Abloh famously paved at Louis Vuitton. For the Off-White fan, ALYX offers a darker, more tactical evolution of the elevated streetwear concept.
Heron Preston
Another member of Abloh's creative inner circle, Heron Preston has built a brand on the concept of workwear as a uniform for the modern world. Where Abloh used quotation marks to re-contextualize everyday objects, Preston uses the visual language of labor—think sanitation worker uniforms, construction gear, and even collaborations with NASA. His signature use of a vibrant orange, inspired by safety gear, has become instantly recognizable. Preston’s brand speaks the same language as Off-White: taking the mundane and elevating it into something desirable and culturally resonant. His collections often feel like a commentary on authenticity and function in a post-industrial world, blending graphic-heavy streetwear with a conceptual edge that Abloh himself championed.
Samuel Ross / A-COLD-WALL
Samuel Ross was Virgil Abloh’s first design assistant, and the mentorship is clear in his work—not as imitation, but as a shared intellectual approach. A-COLD-WALL (ACW) is less about overt graphics and more about material innovation, architectural forms, and social commentary. Ross uses fashion to explore themes of class, structure, and the urban environment. His pieces often feature asymmetrical cuts, technical fabrics, and a palette of concrete grays and industrial tones that feel like wearable sculptures. For the Off-White admirer who appreciates the deep thinking behind the designs, ACW offers a more avant-garde, cerebral take on streetwear. It’s the logical conclusion of Abloh's idea that clothing can be a medium for a much larger conversation.
Martine Rose
While not a direct collaborator, London-based designer Martine Rose embodies the subversive spirit that made Abloh’s work so compelling. Her design ethos is rooted in the subcultures of her city, from '90s rave and reggae scenes to football terraces. Rose is a master of playing with proportions, creating silhouettes that are intentionally “off” yet perfectly cool—think distorted tracksuits, ultra-wide shoulders on a blazer, or perfectly awkward jeans. This love for twisting the familiar into something new and slightly irreverent is a core tenet she shares with Abloh. Her work feels authentic and community-driven, often showcased in unconventional spaces like neighborhood markets or primary schools instead of traditional runways. If you love Off-White's ability to capture a cultural moment, you'll appreciate Martine Rose's cult-like devotion to authentic, lived-in style.
Telfar Clemens / Telfar
Telfar Clemens is perhaps the most spiritually aligned with Virgil Abloh's ultimate legacy: disruption. While Off-White blurred the lines between streetwear and luxury, Telfar has completely rewritten the rules of what luxury means. His brand motto, "Not for you—for everyone," is a direct challenge to the exclusionary nature of high fashion. The iconic Telfar Shopping Bag, known as the "Bushwick Birkin," became a phenomenon by making a status symbol accessible, not scarce. Like Abloh, Clemens understands that a brand's power lies in its community and its cultural resonance. He pioneered the Bag Security Program, a pre-order system ensuring anyone who wants a bag can get one, directly opposing the hype-driven drop model. For those who admired Abloh not just for his designs but for his impact on the industry, Telfar is the ultimate successor.
