Pharrell Williams was appointed as Louis Vuitton's new creative director for men last week. On Instagram, the French fashion house said that Pharrell will debut his first Louis Vuitton collection in June of next year during Men's Fashion Week in Paris, confirming earlier rumors. “Pharrell Williams is a visionary whose creative universes expand from music to art, and to fashion – establishing himself as a cultural global icon over the past twenty years,” the brand stated on its Instagram account. "His creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton towards a new and very exciting chapter." "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," stated Pietro Beccari, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton. Without a doubt, his creative insight beyond fashion will guide Louis Vuitton into a brand-new and extremely exciting chapter. The announcement came a little over a year after Abloh's passing in November 2021, at the age of 41, after a private fight with cancer. The unexpected death of the creative innovator shocked everyone in the industry and beyond. Abloh made history when he was named the first Black artistic director of Louis Vuitton in 2018. He is recognized for bringing a younger clientele to the legendary fashion brand with designs that introduced a streetwear style to the high end world.
Williams' appointment puts a stop to months of rumors about Abloh's successor. Some thought Williams, a 13-time Grammy winner, is most recognized for his music career, but the 49-year-old has an additionally strong background in fashion. In 2003, he and fashion designer Nigo co-founded the streetwear label Billionaire Boys Club. He has also worked with other major companies, such as Tiffany & Co., Moncler, and Adidas.
Comparable to Abloh, Williams' creativity crosses disciplinary boundaries. At the start of 2022, he revealed he was working on a large-scale hotel project that would debut in the Bahamas the following year. During the pandemic, he also unveiled a portable cutlery set to reduce the use of single-use plastics when dining outside. Though it's unclear how Williams will utilize his experience and skills in his new position at Louis Vuitton, the whirlwind of responses to the news on social media suggests he'll have a sold-out audience during his first performance this summer.
