Louis Vuitton has announced global music and fashion icon Pharrell Williams as its new Men’s Creative Director effective immediately. His first collection for Louis Vuitton is set to be revealed this June during the Men’s Fashion Week in Paris, nearly two decades after the first ‘Millionaire’ sunglasses collaboration debuted in 2004 and acted as a fitting homage to the late great Virgil Abloh, who famously redesigned the sunglasses for spring 2019, naming them the 1.1 Millionaires.
“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,” said Pietro Beccari, Louis Vuitton’s Chairman and CEO. “His creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton towards a new and very exciting chapter.”
Related: Remembering Virgil Abloh, Louis Vuitton and Off-White designer and visionary.
Pharrell and NIGO holding their 2004 Louis Vuitton ‘Millionaire’ sunglasses | Image: Supplied
No stranger to leading a brand, Pharrell’s influence on skateboard culture, hip-hop, and fashion transcends all genres, from his collection of bespoke Richard Mille watches, to jewellery, to his efforts with Nigo in Bape, Billionaire Boys Club, Ice Cream, and Humanrace. More recently, he secured his design-leading deal with adidas, where he cemented himself as a leader of culture once again. ‘Louis P’ is just the next chapter.
With a list of awards that includes 13 Grammy Awards – including 2004, 2014, and 2019 Producer of the Year, and ASCAP’s Golden Note Award in 2012 – he’s also received two Academy Award nominations for his original song “Happy” (from Despicable Me 2) and for Best Picture-nominated Hidden Figures (2016) as co-producer, as well as a Golden Globe nomination for co-scoring the film. In 2020, Williams was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for his work as one half of The Neptunes.
Those looking to see what direction Williams will take with his debut Louis Vuitton collection should look no further than his 2004 and 2008 collaborations with the brand. First, his 2004 collaboration where he collaborated with Louis Vuitton and Nigo for a sunglass collection dubbed the ‘Millionaire’ (pictured above). And second, his Blason jewellery collection with help from Louis Vuitton’s jewellery consultant at the time, Camille Miceli (current artistic director of Pucci) where he channelled all the bright colours of the infamous Skateboard P jewellery era (Video linked below).
As mentioned, Pharrell Williams first collection for Louis Vuitton is set to be revealed this June during the Men’s Fashion Week in Paris. In the meantime, there’s no getting away from MSCHF’s ‘Big Red Boots‘.
Pharrell Williams Louis Vuitton 2008 Blason collection | Image: BBC
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