New York is about to get a deep look at one of the most influential creative minds of his generation. Nike and the Virgil Abloh Foundation are staging “Virgil Abloh: The Codes” at The Shed, an exhibition of nearly 1,000 objects tracing how Abloh worked, how he thought and why his influence refuses to fade.
Running for several weeks, the show celebrates Abloh’s creative legacy while spotlighting his long relationship with Nike and the design methods that sat at the core of his identity as a maker.
The scope is deliberately wide. The exhibition crosses fashion, footwear, art, architecture, graphic design, music and broader cultural production. Finished pieces hang alongside prototypes, sketches and archival materials, giving visitors a view of the journey as well as the destination.
Dates and Tickets
– Exhibition run: 10 December 2026 to 18 January 2027
– Venue: The Shed, New York City
– Tickets: Sales opened to the general public on 23 October 2026.
Presale details, tickets and further information are available at TheShed.org.
Nearly 1,000 Objects, One Connecting Thread
With close to 1,000 items on view, the exhibition offers an expansive portrait of how Abloh developed ideas and carried them across very different fields. Completed works sit beside sketches, prototypes and archival objects, revealing a practice rooted in experimentation, collaboration and the reworking of familiar forms into something new.
What Are “The Codes”?
The exhibition and its accompanying programs are organised around Abloh’s methodological principles, known as the Codes. These were designed to work on any medium, product or space. They are the reason his output, especially “The Ten,” his collaboration with Nike, was so instantly recognisable and so easy to translate across formats.
Nike says Abloh believed in opening doors and making knowledge accessible. The Codes carries that belief forward by sharing his process, his ideas and the remarkable range of his output with new generations. The company adds that his legacy endures through the people he inspired and the opportunities it continues to create in his name.
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Chloe Sultan and Mahfuz Sultan curate the presentation, which builds on the evolving history of The Codes. Earlier editions in Miami and Paris examined the methods behind Abloh’s multidisciplinary practice. The New York showing widens that story, gathering an unprecedented collection of objects and experiences meant to make his thinking feel tangible.
The Archive Behind the Show
The Department of Nike Archives (DNA) plays a central part in bringing that history to life. It holds one of the world’s largest collections of Nike x Off-White footwear, including rare samples and prototypes. Across several editions of The Codes, DNA has worked closely with the Off-White and Virgil Abloh Archive teams, supplying objects that shed light on his creative process and his long collaboration with Nike.
Immersive Features
– A recreated Paris office: Abloh’s workspace at Pont Neuf will be rebuilt inside the exhibition.
– A dedicated media lab: Visitors get open access to a selection of his raw design files.
Guests are encouraged to explore the Codes, tools and visual systems behind his work, treating them not only as artifacts but as springboards for their own creative investigations.
A retail experience co-curated by Justin Saunders, founder of JJJJound, will extend the world of The Codes beyond the galleries. Merchandise has been developed in conversation with the exhibition, with details of the collection to be announced in the coming weeks.
Throughout the month, a calendar of conversations, performances, workshops and other events will bring together creative voices from many disciplines. Programming details will follow at a later date.