Student to student: 3 Virgil Abloh x UW collaborations we want to see

Before Virgil Abloh achieved legend status in the high-end fashion world as Kanye West’s creative director, designer for his brand Off-White, and most recently the artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection, he was a student at UW–Madison.

Although he studied engineering, he said in an interview with the New York Times that it was the humanities classes that “ultimately started me on this path of thinking about creativity in a much more cultural context — not designing for design’s sake, but connecting design to the rhythm of what’s happening in the world.”

Abloh has blessed us with his iconic take on streetwear once before. In October 2015, Off-White x UW t-shirts went on sale, with proceeds going to the Great People Scholarship.

But I think we can agree it’s time for another collab, Virgil. It’s been three years, and in that time you’ve designed, remixed and deconstructed everything from Nike sneakers to Ikea rugs. And, listen, we know you’re busy in Paris pushing the boundaries of haute couture, launching art exhibits with Takashi Murakami and DJing in whatever spare time you have left, but even you said the your secret to success is “never sleep.”

So, Virgil, kindly consider returning home to your alma mater for these three Virgil Abloh x UW collabs.

Camp Randall:

We love Camp Randall. It’s historic, impressive and the home of so many great sports memories. But we can also all agree that those horizontal yard lines are straight out of 1869 – and not in a good way.

But rotate the lines diagonally in the vein of Off-White’s iconic horizontal spray-painted lines, and now we’re talking.

Although players may complain that they can’t keep track of how many yards they have until a first down and announcers will find it difficult to do play-by-play commentary, this is no more than a rehash of the age-old fashion dichotomy between style and function. Virgil, don’t listen to the naysayers who say this would destroy the sport of football. This is a good idea.

The 80 bus:

This is not a call for you to redesign the entire fleet of buses in Madison, but only the coolest, most chill bus on campus: the 80. It’s sleek, sexy and on time 80 percent of the time – and we think it deserves to stand out.

That line of Nike sneakers you deconstructed last year are amazing (please send us a pair, “we” wear a size 12.) We think you could take the same design elements from those shoes, like a focus on bold lettering and strong lines, and apply it to the 80. The two are more similar than you’d think. Like Nike shoes, people line up in anticipation for the 80. And, also like Nike shoes, the 80 helps people travel from point A to point B. They’re practically the same thing.

So, Virgil, work your magic on our sweet, beloved 80.

Bucky Badger:

Bucky Badger is many things: a mascot, a symbol of the UW, a staple of football games. But he’s also a canvas. Bucky’s curves, on full display in those Bucky on Parade statues, cry out to be draped and hugged in high-end garments. Currently, Bucky’s outfit leaves much to be desired on this front. He hides his strong torso under a cumbersome, tube-like shirt and turtleneck. And he doesn’t even wear pants.

To be the face of a modern, sophisticated institution like the UW, Bucky needs to get over his retro phase – as we all do – and get with the times. Dressed as the ultimate hypebeast, Bucky Badger will strike fear in the hearts of rivals and fans alike by showing there’s nothing more intimidating than a person who will empty their bank account to cop an outfit – and then wear it in public.