Grammy award winning rapper and producer Pharrell Williams had his first designer’s reveal in Paris, France on Tuesday June 20 as Louis Vuitton’s New Men’s Creative Director.
The runway show for the brand which was established in 1854, aims to place fashion in the context of culture by bringing unique designs to the world, combining innovation with style and uncompromising quality according to a statement.
The 49-year-old native of Virginia Beach, Va., assumed the role previously held by Virgil Abloh, who died in November 2021. Mr. Abloh was the first Black American to be appointed to a head design position at a European luxury house. Mr. Williams, who rose to prominence in the late 1990s as a part of hip-hop production duo the Neptunes, pulled on several aspect of culture to take the fashion brand to the next level.
Several of the SS24 men’s wear collection featured skirts or quilts for men modeled men of color and Pharrel said in a Vogue interview that the collection is ‘just the start.’
When Pharrell took up the position in February LV released a statement saying, “Pharrell Williams is a visionary whose creative universes expand from music to art, and to fashion – establishing himself as a cultural global icon over the past twenty years. The way in which he breaks boundaries across the various worlds he explores, aligns with Louis Vuitton’s status as a Cultural Maison, reinforcing its values of innovation, pioneer spirit, and entrepreneurship.”
Pietro Beccari, Louis Vuitton’s current Chairman and CEO said via the statement, “I am glad to welcome Pharrell back home, after our collaborations in 2004 and 2008 for Louis Vuitton, as our new Men’s Creative Director. His creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton towards a new and very exciting chapter.”
Sitting front row of fashion’s biggest event next to LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault were Beyonce and Jay-Z, the latter performing with Pharrell at the after party.
The Clipse also reunited both for the catwalk and and scored the event with a song about cocaine and bragging.
Watch the full fashion sow for LV’s Men Collection by Pharrell here.
