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Few names in fashion hold the cultural weight of Virgil Abloh. But did you know that Off-White’s famous logo wasn’t entirely original?
Inspired by a 1965 design for Glasgow Airport, it’s sparked a heated debate about creativity and imitation.
Was it a bold homage or a blatant copy? And what does this mean for how we define creativity today?
Let’s break it down and uncover the surprising truth behind one of fashion’s most iconic symbols.
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The Inspiration: Glasgow Airport’s 1965 Design
The origins of Off-White’s logo lie in an unlikely place: a mid-20th-century design created for Glasgow Airport by a British design group.
This group is celebrated for crafting the modern British road sign system, which has influenced traffic signage worldwide.
The Glasgow Airport design was functional yet striking, employing bold diagonal lines meant to convey clarity and direction.
When you place the Glasgow Airport logo side by side with Off-White’s logo, the similarities are undeniable. The stark diagonal stripes, the clean geometry—it’s not just reminiscent; it’s practically identical.
This has led some critics to argue that Abloh’s logo is less of an homage and more of a copy-paste job.
Virgil Abloh’s Design Philosophy
But here’s the twist: Virgil Abloh never claimed the design as entirely original.
In interviews and speeches, Abloh openly embraced the idea of borrowing and remixing. He often described his creative process as finding inspiration in everyday life and reinterpreting it through his lens.
“Not everything has to be unprecedented,” he once said. “It just needs to be appealing.”
Abloh’s unapologetic approach to remixing designs is a defining aspect of his work.
Whether it’s his collaborations with Nike or his reimagining of IKEA’s FRAKTA bag, Abloh believed in elevating the mundane to the extraordinary.
The Community Debate: Creative or Stolen?
The debate around the Off-White logo’s origins has sparked heated conversations online.
Here are some perspectives:
- Supporters: “If you’re a Virgil fan, you know he’s always been transparent about where he finds inspiration. This was never a mystery.”
- Critics: “They took the whole logo. It’s the same thing. Copying and getting credit for it isn’t creativity.”
- Neutral Observers: “Creativity in the modern world is piracy. The line between inspiration and imitation is thinner than ever.”
Comments like “Wow, he didn’t even originate his own logo” clash with statements such as “Virgil is so high-level people can’t even understand it.”
This divide underscores how polarising the issue is.
The Bigger Question: Is Borrowing the New Creativity?
The controversy surrounding the Off-White logo is part of a broader conversation about creativity in the digital age.
In fields like music, borrowing elements from the past is not new.
Sampling in hip-hop, for instance, takes fragments of older songs and reimagines them for a new audience.
Similarly, Abloh’s use of the Glasgow Airport design raises questions:
- When does inspiration become imitation?
- Does it matter if the result is culturally impactful?
- Can borrowing be a valid form of creativity?
The answer may lie in how the borrowed elements are reinterpreted.
While critics may call it theft, Abloh’s supporters argue that his work transcends its sources by adding layers of meaning and context.
Actionable Takeaways for Aspiring Creatives
For those navigating the creative industries, this debate offers valuable lessons:
- Look for inspiration in unexpected places. Abloh’s ability to draw from obscure sources shows that great ideas can come from anywhere.
- Acknowledge your sources. Transparency can disarm criticism and add depth to your work.
- Add your unique twist. Borrowing isn’t inherently wrong, but reinterpretation is key to making it your own.
What do I think?
Virgil Abloh’s legacy is one of bold experimentation and unapologetic creativity.
The Off-White logo controversy may never be fully resolved, but it highlights an essential truth: in the modern world, creativity often involves remixing what’s come before.
The question isn’t whether it’s original but whether it’s impactful.
What do you think?
When does inspiration cross the line into imitation?
Share your thoughts in the comments or take our poll below. Let’s keep the conversation going.
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Source: Lowheads
I’ve been reviewing, buying, selling, and rocking sneakers since high school. Learned a lot since my first pair when I was 7 years old were And 1s (if you know you know). A lot has changed since the brand started in 2017 from reselling sneakers to now reviewing and writing informational content. The aim is to be authentic and honest with my opinions. Saucedby Lee out 🙂
