Pharrell Williams (49) is the new creative director at Louis Vuitton. The musician will be responsible for the men’s line of the French luxury label in the future. Although Pharrell Williams was and is primarily known for his music, the collaboration with Louis Vuitton is by no means his first foray into the fashion world – nor is it the first collaboration with the Parisian fashion house.
In addition to a successful music career, Pharrell Williams has also been focusing on fashion activities for around two decades. In 2003 he co-created streetwear brands Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream with his close friend, Japanese fashion designer and artist Nigo (52), which is often credited with helping bring streetwear visibility to high fashion. Nigo has been at the helm of the Kenzo brand, which also belongs to the LVMH group, since 2021.
In 2004, Williams collaborated with Louis Vuitton for the first time. Together with the then creative director Marc Jacobs, a sunglass collection was created. In 2008, Williams designed another line of eyewear and jewelry for the label. Williams recently unveiled a new design collaboration with Tiffany
In 2011 he was appointed creative director of streetwear brand KarmaloopTV. In August 2013, Williams designed a line of sunglasses for fashion brand Moncler. In 2014, the 49-year-old then entered into a partnership with the sports group Adidas, for which he created the “Human Race” collection in 2016.
As of 2014, Williams served as the creative director for Bionic Yarn, a company that makes textiles from ocean plastic. The denim collection “RAW for the Oceans” was also created in 2014 in cooperation with G-Star Raw. Also in 2014, Williams designed the “i am OTHER” collection for Uniqlo.
In collaboration with Chanel and Adidas, Pharrell Williams designed a €1,000 sneaker in 2017. The “Premium basics” winter line followed in December 2021 with Adidas Originals. Williams is unveiling his new collaboration with Moncler this weekend as part of London Fashion Week.
Louis Vuitton announced the new personnel on Tuesday evening (February 14). Williams’ first collection for the French luxury label is set to be presented at Paris Fashion Week in June. “His creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton into a new and very exciting chapter,” the statement said. Williams succeeds designer Virgil Abloh (1980-2021), who died in November 2021.
