I had to text Virgil this morning right as I was walking up to the start line of the Copenhagen Half Marathon to reconfirm when it was exactly that we met the first time. Unfortunately, due to so many trivial meetings over the past decade-and-a-half, I find it hard to remember details when encounters hold more meaning. It’s like my harddrive is full because my brain is always on. I need to do a shut down to clear the cache. But Virgil thankfully replied promptly: “Yes CitizenM is our first link. (…) U are something Else INSERT EMOJI enjoy the race!”
When I met Virgil for the first time in person, COVID was in full swing, but it was far from being the only Pandemic we were facing. In my home country, Black Lives Matter was in full swing. American police were systematically slaughtering people of color in seemingly daily patterns. With the death of George Floyd being the tipping point, people took to the streets to protest systemic racism and police brutality (and beyond). America was on fire in a way which we had not seen since Rodney King when I was young.

COVID had my life made stagnant at the flip of a switch. I posted on my story that I was bored. One follower messaged me to tell me to get off my ass and use my platform to interview people of colour to hear of their experiences with racism and to give them a platform. I made moves immediately. Hosting livestreams with women of color across the continent in order to hear of their experiences, not only to give them the stage, but to inform myself.

Dutch hoteliers CitizenM saw these livestreams and asked if we could collaborate during Copenhagen Fashion Week. I had converstations with men and women of color in the living room of their Copenhagen hotel in order to hear some stories about real-life experiences, both good and bad. In comes Virgil.

I knew of Virgil from “the street” which is such a lame way to say it. Let me rephrase: I had seen Virgil outside of some events where I would lurk. I had photographed him a few times, but never knew who he was until he left a show at The Lab with my friend Agnes and I was able to ask her “Who’s that dude, he’s very cool.” Yes, I’m a bit of a creep, but it’s literally my job, and now I have Virgil sat on the sofa at the hotel and we are chatting about his experiences of growing up in Ringsted, Denmark as the child of Congolese political refugees. I won’t go into it and you can watch it online, but the conversation was very cool, and now this stranger was my friend.

Some years later, COVID was “over” and systemic racism blazes on, almost unchecked. Virgil and I keep in touch. He helped me through financial troubles during the lull of 2020 by helping me to secure one of the only jobs I had that year, effectively saving me from bankruptcy. So when I started Context, one of the first texts went out to Virgil, asking if I could invite myself into his showroom and home. He obliged and welcomed me into his new space in Copenhagen, and then a few days later into his living room up north. Virgil lounges on the burnt red sofa and we catch up as I shoot. The next day in Humlebæk he introduces me to Cassius, his son’s kitten.

It’s to be noted that Virgil’s son, Vincent is the inspiration of his successful footwear brand “Vinny’s”. I haven’t met Vincent, but from my personal judgement, he is a lucky guy to have Virgil as a father. In the few years I have known Virgil, I’ve felt cared for and frankly, important whenever we cross paths. He listens, offers advice, and generally seems interested in the conversation and the time spent face to face. I’m proud to know Virgil, and more so proud to see his business grow. Here’s to meeting strangers on “the street”.