Pharrell Williams has been named as the creative director of menswear at Louis Vuitton, after months of speculation as to who will occupy the position at the luxury French fashion house.
Williams, a rapper and music producer who has had a vast career spanning music, fashion design and entrepreneurship, was a friend and supporter of former creative director of Louis Vuitton menswear Virgil Abloh, who stepped into the role in 2018 and passed away in November 2021.
Abloh was then the first Black American designer to hold a head position in a French luxury fashion house, a history-making first.
Louis Vuitton is delighted to welcome @Pharrell as its new Men's Creative Director. His first collection for Louis Vuitton will be revealed next June during Men's Fashion Week in Paris. #LouisVuitton #PharrellWilliams pic.twitter.com/GRCQFfOAHK
— Louis Vuitton (@LouisVuitton) February 14, 2023
Williams' appointment is a suggestion as to where the fashion house will continue to go, as Abloh broke boundaries and revolutionised high fashion with his blending of luxury and streetwear. With Williams, Louis Vuitton has someone already well-versed in emerging fashion trends and influences.
In a statement from Louis Vuitton, Williams was described as a "visionary whose creative universes expand from music to art, and to fashion. 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".
Williams found fame as part of the 1990's song-writing group the Neptunes alongside Chad Hugo, which wrote songs for Beyonce, Usher, Gwen Stefani, and more. He was then the lead vocalist for N.E.R.D, and has since featured on many pop hits like Blurred Lines with Robin Thicke and Daft Punk's Get Lucky.
He received an Academy Award nomination for his song Happy, and has won 13 Grammys.
Fashion has been a focus for Williams, too, as he has collaborated with Adidas for years and co-owns the streetwear label Human Made with Kenzo's creative director Nigo. He also owns a number of companies including skincare brand Humanrace and streetwear line Billionaire's Boys Club.
He has experience with high fashion too, as he designed a collection for Chanel in 2019 and created a line of sunglasses for Louis Vuitton in 2008, which were re-launched in 2018 by Abloh.
He's also frequently made a statement with his own fashion choices, often opting for bold and avant garde looks on the red carpet.
His first collection will debut in June 2024, during men's fashion week in Paris.
In a statement posted on Louis Vuitton's Instagram, Pietro Beccari, Louis Vuitton's chairman and CEO said: "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."
