When Virgil Abloh passed in 2021, the world lost a visionary, one who pushed boundaries in the realm of contemporary fashion, art, culture, and architecture. But like all the greats, his legacy is best defined through their lasting impact. During his time as the founder of Off-White, Abloh mentored a select few employees working under him—protégés if you will. Among them was his first design assistant, Samuel Ross.
Ross’s work from his fashion label, A-COLD-WALL* and industrial design studio SR_A, bears Abloh’s undeniable influence—the deconstructed designs, utilitarian elements, balancing minimalism with boldness. Fittingly, these elements also define his latest collaboration with Hublot: the Big Bang Tourbillon Carbon SR_A.
In this interview with Esquire Singapore, Ross delves into legacy, cultural identity, and the evolving role of luxury in today’s world.
ESQUIRE SINGAPORE: How did your background in design, Luxury Sportswear and ready-to-wear influence the aesthetic approach to this watch collaboration?
SAMUEL ROSS: The past 15 years of my career have been situated within luxury fashion, sportswear and fine art.
With artworks and garments within The Met and V&A museum, developing our third tourbillion with Hublot represents a portion of the past tenure, merging industrial beauty with precision-engineered material choices.
ESQ: Did your personal heritage or cultural identity shape any part of this collaboration?
SR: Well, arguably, an artist’s output is simply an accumulation of their life experiences, well synthesised.
ESQ: Can you walk me through your favourite design element of the watch?
SR: The carbon-fibre inclusion. A new grade that contrasts well against the volt blue.
ESQ: In a world grappling with economic disparity, how do you think the concept of luxury can evolve to be more meaningful or socially impactful?
SR: Luxury procures and insulates legacy artisans, artists, and the growing creative class. It’s less a concept and more a key component of the global engine driving the arts and modernity. Its social perpetuity is evergreen. Now, if we are to take an obscure stance, one could argue that, at times, it facilitates a cultural stadium of sorts… a stadium of thought, that is. Perhaps a chamber for philosophical thought, for questioning, and for documentation. I feel both are truths.
ESQ: If you had an extra hour in the day, how would you spend it?
SR: Physical training/reading.
ESQ: What impact are you hoping to leave to the next generation (through your work) and what is your biggest hope or recommendation for the next generation?
SR: I wish for my legacy to be one of possibility, optimism, and creative entrepreneurship. Through our SR_A Black British Artist Grants Programme, we are actively achieving this by supporting over 50 artists with independent grants that we fund.
The programme is now partnered with institutions such as Sotheby’s, The King’s Foundation, the British Fashion Council, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Royal College of Art.
Through our fashion output, we are insulating, protecting, and ensuring the next generation of artisans remains at the centre of the story—through craft and expression. There is much to achieve, and I intend for our endeavours to live on through the creativity of others. We are simply a vessel and a channel for exceptional creativity to exist, capturing the spirit of the times.
