While in Paris for Americans in Paris, I visited “Virgil Abloh: The Codes” at the Grand Palais. Organized by the Virgil Abloh Archive with Nike, the exhibition traces his journey from architecture to fashion, showcasing how he navigated the intersection of design, music, and art.

Curated by Chloe Sultan and Mahfuz Sultan, it features garments, sneakers, and sketches that sit alongside personal objects that showcase the designer and multi-disciplinary artist’s process and ideas. It feels less like a tribute and more like a map of how he worked — questioning who gets to create and how culture is shared.

As a CFDA member, Virgil offered an American perspective on global fashion — open, collaborative, and rooted in community. “The Codes,” which was realized with the support of the Virgil Abloh Foundation and Nike, is a testament to his influence, which still shapes the next generation of American designers making their mark in Paris.