Grammy-winning producer Pharrell Williams was hired as Louis Vuitton menswear Creative Director according to an announcement made today by the French luxury house.
Today, producer and fashion icon Pharrell Williams was introduced as the new menswear Creative Director at French luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton. Through his eclectic tastes in style, the founding of his Billionaire Boys Club clothing brand, and collaborations with BAPE, Adidas, Chanel and Moncler, Williams has emerged as one of the foremost trendsetters of this generation.
Williams replaces previous Louis Vuitton menswear Creative Director, Virgil Abloh, who lost his battle with cancer in 2021.
The fashion house took to Twitter to announce William’s appointment, as well as the timetable for his first collection.
“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.”
In a statement, Louis Vuitton chairman and chief executive Pietro Beccari shared his excitement about Williams’ hiring.
“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.”
Louise Deglise-Favre, Apparel Analyst at GlobalData, says the move is both a bet on Williams’ star power and the streetwear influences Abloh brought to the brand.
“The move undoubtedly means that Louis Vuitton is betting on star power and mass appeal, choosing a familiar face to represent the brand as it embarks on this new chapter. However, Williams has big shoes to fill, as Abloh radically transformed the brand’s menswear division through his innovative vision of luxury.”
“Choosing Pharrell Williams also indicates that Louis Vuitton is doubling down on the streetwear influences that Virgil Abloh brought to the brand, which allowed it to be so successful in recent years and resonate with luxury’s new crucial audience of Gen-Z shoppers.”
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