The position of men’s creative director at Louis Vuitton has remained empty since the death of Virgil Abloh in 2021. Today, the house announced that his successor will be celebrity producer Pharrell Williams. His first collection will show this June during the Men’s Fashion week in Paris.
The highly awaited appointment comes as a surprise to many, given that the names of designers like Grace Wales Bonner, Martine Rose, and Telfar Clemens have been swirling for months. It’s one of Pietro Beccari’s first big moves as the new Louis Vuitton Chairman and CEO, a position he took just two weeks ago.
In a statement, Beccari described William’s appointment as a return, rather than a brand-new start: “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. “
Pharrell’s name has become somewhat synonymous with luxury collaborations, but his sunglasses collection with then-Louis Vuitton Creative Director Marc Jacobs in 2004 was his very first. Long time friend Abloh re-issued the colorful collection with gold details in 2018, with pairs originally retailing for $300 to $500 and then upwards of $1,700 for resale. When the shades originally dropped, Pharrell told Women’s Wear Daily, “You have to understand, I am just a regular dude. At the end of the day, this is all an incredible dream come true.” He then added, “He is Marc Jacobs and it is Louis Vuitton, and who am I for that matter?”
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Pharrell has since gone on to collaborate with Chanel and Moncler. His long-term partnership at Adidas Originals began in 2014, with his original collection featuring makeups of classic styles like the Adidas Superstar, the Stan Smith, and the brand’s track jacket. Just this past November, after years of the internet making jokes about his ageless complexion (at one point, he…
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