Last fall, Virgil Abloh Archive hosted an exhibition at the Grand Palais in Paris called ‘Virgil Abloh: The Codes,’ allowing the public to explore nearly two decades of Abloh’s multidisciplinary output. The late designer’s archive is comprised of over 20,000 objects, ranging from sketches, prototypes, digital media, and original works, all catalogued from a creative practice that touched fashion, music, design, art, and everything in between. Now, for the first time, it’s making its way to the public in print.
The Virgil Reader Vol. 001 is the Archive’s debut publication, and pre-orders are live starting today. Think of it less as a coffee table book and more as a window into how Virgil Abloh actually thought—his cultural commentary, his creative process, and the interviews that captured him at different moments across his career. The pieces inside were originally published by 032c, The Business of Fashion, Flash Art, GQ Style, Hypebeast, i-D, Kaleidoscope, Real Review, System Magazine, and Wallpaper, and they’re printed here in their original layouts. No recontextualizing, no redesign—just the work as it existed. i-D editor Thom Bettridge wrote the foreword. The first edition is 256 pages long and is limited to 2,000 copies.
The Virgil Reader was first unveiled at The Codes in Paris, and the Archive has been privately stewarded by Shannon Abloh. Her vision for it has always been about accessibility, keeping ideas alive for people who have been following Virgil since the beginning and for those who are just now discovering him.
Alongside the launch, the Archive has also opened sign-ups to its free public membership program. Members get a digital excerpt from Vol. 001, the Archive newsletter, and first access to future drops and events. Members can also sign up to receive the V.A.A. Archive Toolkit, a set of free resources from the Archive “for students, emerging creatives, and lifelong learners,” refreshed periodically throughout the year. 100 Toolkit subscribers will be gifted a pair of the upcoming Virgil Abloh Archive x Air Jordan 1 High OG sneakers and a copy of The Virgil Reader, Volume 001. Head to virgilabloh.com to sign up.
To celebrate the launch, the Archive is hosting a two-day activation in Los Angeles on March 14th and 15th at Architecture. Talks, readings, screenings, and community programming all center around The Virgil Reader and what’s coming next from the Archive.
The Virgil Reader Vol. 001 is now available for global pre-order at reader.virgilabloh.com. Read Shannon Abloh’s full statement and check out the preview below.
Update: Following overwhelming support from the community, the Virgil Abloh Archive has announced it will print additional copies of The Virgil Reader, Vol. 001 beyond the initial 2,000. Proceeds from the second printing will support the Archive’s research and publishing program, as well as educational programming for youth through the Virgil Abloh Foundation. Through the Foundation’s partnerships with schools and educational institutions, V.A.A. also plans to donate copies directly to students who may not otherwise have access to this material.
The Virgil Reader Vol. 001
Release Date: March 5, 2026
Price: $55 USD
