designer

Revealing the news, the French fashion house's parent company LVMH described Abloh as a "genius" and a "visionary".

The US designer came to prominence as Kanye West's creative director but later made history as the first African-American to lead Louis Vuitton.

Abloh is survived by his wife, Shannon, and their two children.

A statement on his Instagram page described him as a "fiercely devoted father, husband, son, brother, and friend".

But the 31-year-old Ghanian, who had studied fashion in London, knew she'd spotted an opportunity.

She set up AAKS, making ritzy raffia bags that combine traditional weaving techniques with modern designs. Three years on, her bags are on sale in some Urban Outfitters stores in the U.S.

"Now I sell in 46 stores in 16 countries around the world, and I've only been in business since 2014," she says.

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