Pharrell Williams’ debut at Louis Vuitton

When he was appointed as the successor to the late Virgil Abloh, a heated debate erupted over the legitimacy of his nomination. Although he is not a formally trained fashion designer but a 13-time Grammy Award winner, he has proven to be the right person in the right place. Pharrell Williams’ debut as the creative director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear division turned out to be nothing short of spectacular. The show took place at sunset near the Pont Neuf bridge in Paris. The French fashion house treated us to a full orchestra, a gospel choir, and over 70 looks modeled by familiar faces.

The show itself was also a major media move for the brand. Williams was cheered on from the front row by famous friends. Among them were Rihanna, the model of the brand’s latest campaign, Jared Leto, Lenny Kravitz, and Jay-Z, who performed at the afterparty. Also in attendance was brand ambassador Zendaya, accompanied by her former stylist Law Roach. Undoubtedly, under its new leadership, Louis Vuitton delivered something extraordinary. The world will remember this for a long time, and the collection itself will mark the beginning of a new era for the brand.

Place in the lineup

It’s no coincidence he was called a fashion icon in his industry. Even as a well-known musician and producer, Pharrell Williams was recognized for his impeccable taste in clothing. Throughout his career, he collaborated with various fashion brands, including the one he would become the artistic director of a few years later. In 2003, he had the opportunity to work with Marc Jacobs, who was then at the helm of Louis Vuitton, and Japanese designer Nigo. The result of their collaboration was a pair of sunglasses with a distinctive frame shape that became one of the brand’s best-selling products.

This was followed by further collaborations, such as with Moncler and Moynat, as well as long-term partnerships with Adidas and Chanel, including a capsule collection created together with the late Chanel creative director, Karl Lagerfeld. And yet, taking on the role of artistic director at Louis Vuitton marks a truly exciting moment for the fashion world. Inspired by his unparalleled creativity and sensitivity to emerging trends, Pharrell not only has to continue the vision that Virgil Abloh brought to the brand, but also bring his own freshness and originality. It seems that the new collection is precisely a blend of these two elements.

Pharrell Williams’ debut – what did he present to the world?

As we mentioned, the Parisian Pont Neuf was transformed into a Vuitton runway. As such, it itself featured a strip of the iconic Damier motif, which was heavily woven into the collection. It appeared on floor-length coats, tailored suits, structured suitcases, and trunks. It was also visible on a range of accessories, including hats, bags, and caps. Nevertheless, this season we had the chance to see new motifs by Louis Vuitton. The runway showcased embroidered patterns inspired by the works of American artist Henry Taylor. In addition, there was a logo combining the classic “LV” monogram with the word “lovers,” arranged into the playful name: “LVERS.”

Another highlight of the collection was the embellished varsity jackets, brimming with signature details like leather sleeves, muted colors, and patches. Iconic accessories also made an appearance. Models walked out with some of the brand’s most recognizable bags—the Speedy—hinting at a true transformation of this legendary design. Speedy was always a men’s canvas bag, until they created a smaller version for Audrey Hepburn in 1965,” Pharrell said after the show. “I wanted to take something I felt could be unisex and just make a great bag for people. This is an everyday icon made for every lifestyle.”

The sunglasses that have become Pharrell Williams’s signature also played a key role. They were available in a variety of sizes and shapes. The show itself concluded with the gospel choir Voices of Fire, and Williams composed two new tracks for the runway, including Joy (Unspeakable) performed by the Virginia-based choir, which was released five days ago, as well as Peace Be Still featuring Chinese pianist Lang Lang.

Pharrell Williams’s debut turned out to be an extraordinary fusion of high fashion and great sound. Like his predecessor, Virgil Abloh, the singer has an exceptional talent for anticipating cultural trends, redefining the spirit of the times, and the ability to communicate his ideas to a mass audience.