Pharrell Williams appointed as new creative director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear

Parham Hagh

On February 14, 2023, Louis Vuitton named Pharrell Williams as the creative director of their menswear in a news release. Pharrell will be taking on the role that once belonged to his dear friend, Virgil Abloh, who was the first Black designer to hold the role. Abloh’s sudden passing after his silent battle with cancer in November 2021 shocked the fashion world and left his position at LV vacant for just over a year.

Despite being primarily known as a pop icon with hits such as “Happy,” “Frontin’ ”, and “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” Pharrell’s fashion resume exceeded Abloh’s, who was a fashion insider, upon his appointment to LV in 2018. While Abloh founded the spectacularly successful high-end streetwear brand “Off-White” in 2013 after having interned at Fendi, Pharrell’s creative pursuit in streetwear began when he co-founded Billionaire Boys Club a decade earlier, in 2003, alongside A Bathing Ape founder, Nigo. Since then, Pharrell has also been active in rich collaborations with prominent brands such as Adidas, Chanel, and Moncler. Besides, this is the third instance of collaboration between LV and Pharrell, as they had worked together on past LV jewelry and eyewear collections.

In their announcement, LV called Pharrell a “visionary” and a “cultural global icon” whose boundary-breaking exploration of the art world is well-matched with “Louis Vuitton’s status as a Cultural Maison.” Besides highlighting Pharrell’s achievements as a music mogul, such as his numerous Grammy and Academy award wins, LVMH, LV’s parent company, celebrated his philanthropic efforts as the founder of several non-profit initiatives and his advocacy against racial injustice.

“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.” Said Pietro Beccari, LV’s Chairman and CEO.

Pharrell’s first LV collection is set to launch during the Paris Men’s Fashion Week in June 2023.