Pharrell Williams’ Louis Vuitton Show
On June 20, 2023, Pharell Williams, an American music producer, singer, rapper, and fashion designer, revealed his first line for Louis Vuitton. It was a celebration of music, fashion, and art. The show took place in Paris, and featured models such as Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Rihanna. His music-inspired collection featured a wide range of outfits, from elegant suits to striking streetwear. The performance was outstanding and will be remembered as a memorable event in pop culture. The program also contributed to Williams' emergence as LV's new creative director and as a style icon.
The fashion show was set in the Pont Neuf bridge across from the Vuitton headquarters, which became a huge runway floor. While a live performance by Pharrell Williams and his band N.E.R.D was performed, models went down the runway showcasing the collection. Williams' abilities and creativity were valued, but Louis Vuitton also benefited financially from the event, with several of the collection's items selling out immediately after the show.
In an interview about Christopher Kane’s label (Scottish fashion designer) shuttering, he said, “That this news came a day after one of the biggest, most expensive shows in the history of fashion (Pharrell Williams’s Louis Vuitton debut) says something about the state of the industry. The big are getting bigger and the small are struggling.” Kane emphasizes the substantial scale and opulence of Williams' show in contrast to numerous recent fashion runways. Pharrell Williams joining the LV team will elevate the scale and cost of future shows and fans can’t wait to see what's coming next in Vuitton’s collections and runways!
The fact that Pharrell Williams launched his new profession as the men's design director of Louis Vuitton during this performance made it much more spectacular. Virgil Abloh, who sadly passed away from cancer in November 2021, previously held the position. Fans and fashion critics certainly agree with Pietro Beccari, CEO of Louis Vuitton, when he declared in a statement that "His [Pharrell Williams] creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton towards a new and very exciting chapter"!
Here are some of the fashion show's highlights and memorable items:
The multicolor squares pattern may be seen in a lot of Williams' works. It is similar to digital pixels. Many of these outfits featured items like coats, bags, and jackets in camouflage color pixels. In a recent article, Pharrell Williams predicted that the pixel style would become more prevalent. Other outfits incorporate the pattern as a checkerboard or even a scene of Paris' Seine River.
Source: Louis Vuitton
The collection also featured the Louis Vuitton leather handbags designed for men, known as the Speedy, which stood out as another notable aspect. Williams took the renowned Vuitton bag and redesigned it specifically for his show. During a Vogue interview discussing the bag, he emphasized its exceptional feature of never losing its form. This was achieved by utilizing a robust all-leather material, ensuring the bag's durability and strength, unlike the previous Speedy bag that utilized traditional canvas fabric.
Source: Louis Vuitton
Pharrell Williams aimed to revolutionize both fashion and the brand with this collection. He blended the brand's iconic material, leather, into his designs, giving them a contemporary look. His intention was to create luxurious garments for Louis Vuitton that were not only visually striking but also functional and suitable for everyday wear. Williams showcased his innovative approach by designing numerous oversized, vibrant, and pixelated ensembles, demonstrating his creativity in their execution.
Source: Louis Vuitton
Williams' collection featured a variety of handbags in diverse patterns. Among them were the eye-catching large metallic bags on the left. The renowned Alma, Keepall, Handle Soft, and Malle trunk bags from Louis Vuitton underwent a golden transformation made from the brand's patent leather. Additionally, some bags in the middle were adorned with pearls and embellishments, showcasing a checkers pattern. It appears that Williams drew inspiration from his previous collaboration with Chanel on a unisex bag collection in 2019 when designing these bags. Moreover, the collection also incorporated the timeless appeal of the "exotic" animal print, seen on the right. These bags utilized earth-toned fabrics resembling the skin of a crocodile, and they came in various sizes, ranging from small clutches to large bowling bags.
Source (left to right): PopSugar, Hommes Thailand (middle and right)