Pharrell Williams taking his seat as Creative Director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear ironically coincides with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Fashion and the culture-shifting music genre have gone hand-in-hand since the late 80s. Williams is one of the most impactful rappers to cross into the luxury fashion space, with his creation of Billionaire Boys Club and working with Adidas on various projects. He’s been preparing for this moment.
Guests arrived to the debut runway show venue by boat. Greeted by the soulful melodies of Virginia-based choir, Voices of Fire, the event was held along Paris’ oldest bridge, which also has a view of the adjacent Louis Vuitton studios. The setting embodied the perfect imaginative bond between Williams’ home state of Virginia and Paris. This was a full circle moment for the super producer, as it was representative of his memories of attending Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, a seminal institution in the early education of Williams.
A total of 71 looks graced the runway in true Pharrell fashion—literally. The Louis Vuitton initials served as the emblem of a new culture of LVERS—a state of mind founded in warmth, wellbeing, and welcome-ness. LVERS is also a play on Virginia’s slogan— “Virginia is for Lovers.”
The luxury house’s signature Damier chessboard graphic print was reimagined in a series of new adaptations. An 8-bit Atari Damier motif created by American pixel artist ET Artist digitalized the pattern. Tailoring reminiscent of Williams’ style with a hint of that classic Chanel feel can be seen throughout the collection. The pixelated print was featured on various pieces from clothing to accessories. A welcomed classic and fan favorite was the new adaptation of LV’s signature Speedy bag, which conjures the attitude and hustle mentality of Canal Street in Lower Manhattan— an everyday icon conceived for every walk of life.
For this debut launch, Pharrell Williams truly tapped into his creative genius. He perfectly infused his personal style into the collection, while also paying homage to the longtime luxury house.
So, how long do you think it will be until Russell Westbrook or LeBron James are in updated Louis Vuitton menswear looks?
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Image: courtesy of Louis Vuitton
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