Usher Accepts The Virgil Abloh Award At NYFW

Earlier this week (September 9th), New York Fashion Week officially kicked off as the 18th Annual Harlem’s Fashion Row Fashion Show & Style Awards was held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The black-tie event is known for celebrating artistry, design, style, and culture in fashion by amplifying voices and creators from the Black community. Amongst the honorees of the night, which included Ruth E. Carter (inaugural recipient of the Ann Lwe Maverick Award) and Jason Bolden (Stylist of the Year), was eight-time Grammy Award winner Usher Raymond, who was presented with the Virgil Abloh Award. The distinction honors fashion innovators who echo the spirit and vision of the late fashion designer.

Usher received the award for his longstanding influence in fashion, not just as an entertainer, but as someone who pushes boundaries in style, image, and creativity. During his speech, he reflected on the role his family played, especially in his childhood when his father was largely absent. He mentioned how it taught him to “dream and run wild and use his imagination in fashion.” He also touched on searching for identity. The 46-year-old explained that, although he inherited his father’s name, he had to define for himself what that name meant and how he would make it matter.

With the award being named after Virgil, it was only right that Usher brought up some of Abloh’s philosophies that stuck with him. He explained how the “3% rule” essentially states that innovation begins by altering something familiar by 3%. Usher said that this became a model for how he reintroduces his art or his style: small changes, incremental innovations, yet constantly pushing upward. He also quoted Abloh by saying, “The world produces waves: You surf, you drown, you decide. Everything that you do is for that 17-year-old version of yourself.” Raymond admitted that the 17-year-old version of himself still drives him and challenges him to be fearless.

In his own words, his early influences, his internal mirror (his 17-year-old self), and Virgil’s example inspire him to remain bold. He went on to compare himself to people around him who watch left and right, in a protective and careful way. Contrary to them, Usher noted how he just looks up, dreams, imagines something better and takes the risk. With this line of thinking, the connection to Virgil is strong. Both icons share the same attitude towards risk, humility in innovation, and the idea that fashion is an integral part of identity and personal growth. Usher’s speech was very much about legacy, creativity, and staying true to what moves you. He made it a point that even when what moves you is changing something familiar by just a little bit, doing it with boldness should always be a priority.

Congrats to Usher on the recognition and shoutout to Virgil Abloh for the endless lessons he left us!

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