offwhite

Off-white refers to a color category describing hues that are near white but not pure white. These colors have a slight tint of another color, resulting in a muted, neutral appearance. Common examples of off-white shades include ivory, eggshell, cream, and parchment. Because white lacks a fixed spectral value, there is no single standard for off-white; its exact tone varies with material, lighting, and color composition. In design and fashion, off-white is often chosen for its warmth or subtlety, offering a softer alternative to pure white while maintaining a bright, clean look.

Off-White is also the name of a luxury fashion label founded in 2012 by Virgil Abloh. The brand, based in Milan, blends streetwear sensibilities with high-fashion aesthetics and is known for distinctive graphic motifs, such as quotation marks used around words, and for incorporating industrial elements like zip ties into its products. It has produced influential collaborations with brands including Nike (notably The Ten sneaker project), Rimowa, and Ikea (Markerad), helping to popularize a bridge between streetwear and luxury fashion. The label has played a significant role in contemporary fashion discourse by challenging traditional branding and product presentation. Virgil Abloh, the founder, passed away in 2022, an event that marked a major moment in the brand’s history.