Kanye West's friend Virgil Abloh takes over Louis Vuitton's menswear

In a giant move, French luxury label Louis Vuitton announced its new artistic director of menswear -- American designer and celebrity DJ Virgil Abloh on Monday. 

The major news shook up the top of men's fashion as Virgil takes over from Kim Jones who departed last week. 

37-year-old Virgil, a longtime friend of rap star Kanye West became the second black man to hold such an important position in the intimate luxury fashion circle. The first is French designer Olivier Rousteing who is responsible for both Balmain's men and women's lines.

In a statement released by the brand, Virgil said, "It is an honour for me to accept the position of men's artistic director for Louis Vuitton. I find the heritage and creative integrity of the house are key inspirations and will look to reference them both while drawing parallels to modern times."

Virgil teased the news by posing with a vintage Louis Vuitton travel chest on his Instagram page.

He had earlier teased a photo of himself in a white T-shirt with initials 'SHM' that stood for "something huge Monday".

Virgil is a former architect who has won laurels for his own brand called Off-White label that is famous amongst the likes of Kardashian-West family. Raised in the US state of Illinois by Ghanaian parents, Virgil's mother was a seamstress who taught him her trade before he went on to study civil engineering and later architecture. He began his fashion career alongside his friend Kanye West as a 500 euro-a-month intern at Italian label Fendi, setting up his own label in 2012. The following year West made him his creative partner.