- Backstage
- Documenting Contemporary Culture
- Photography and Direction: Pranav Volety
In the spring of 2019, I was blessed to have talked to a Rockford-born legend, Virgil Abloh. Although the call was only taken after a series of missed calls followed by a butt-dial, my efforts in reaching out to him were finally fruitful (shoutout Yellowpages). After his initial dismay and annoyance at my 16 year-old self pestering him, he opened up after I shared a littany of ideas with him. One of which was to document him from the eyes of a Rockford teen. Virgil seemed to soften up at the realization that he was talking to someone who clearly inspired. What followed in that call was a series of quotes and inspirations that have guided much of my young adult life. I learned to explore my inner child and what I loved. One such skill I gained in the process was my visual storytelling, particularly in relation to music.