Louis Vuitton has appointed the well-known artist Pharrell Williams as the new creative director of men’s wear designs and collections. The Paris-based luxury brand stole the spotlight on the 14th of February with this surprise announcement. Louis Vuitton’s tweet about the new appointment created waves of excitement on Twitter. Louis Vuitton has always managed to leave a signature of its own, and we are quite excited to see the extra highlight that Williams will bring in. Unlike several other companies that were adversely affected by the global pandemic, Louis Vuitton managed to keep its head above water and even thrive. The new addition to the company is an attempt to smooth the company’s path to growth and success.
Who is Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Lanscilo Williams is a well-known name in the music industry. Williams is adding yet another feather to his crown with his new role as the creative director of the luxury brand. Williams indeed has big shoes to fill as the legacy left by his predecessor, Virgil Abloh is quite remarkable. Abloh’s work reverberates throughout the luxury house’s collections, and only time can tell if Pharrell Williams can make up for the void created by Abloh’s passing. It is quite striking that Williams has several similarities with his predecessor. For instance, both Williams and Abloh had a passion for music and fashion. Both have proved on several occasions that they are brilliant at what they do. Williams’ music has a huge fan following across the globe. His thirteen Grammys and two Oscar nominations attest to the same. Willaims’ experience in the fashion industry is vast, and he is known for his innovative work. In fact, he is the one who brought street-style fashion with a twist to the industry. He also co-founded a brand called Label Billionaire Boy Club back in 2003, with Japanese fashion designer, Nigo. Nigo is the artistic director of Kenzo, owned by LVMH. Since then, he has collaborated with several brands like Moncler, Chanel, Adidas, etc. In fact, Williams collaborated with Louis Vuitton back in 2004 for designing a range of eyewear. Williams is known for his impeccable fashion sense and great taste. After all, a renowned fashion house like Louis Vuitton will not hire someone unless they have a unique mark of their own.
Pharrell Williams and Louis Vuitton
This is not the first time Pharrell Williams is shaking hands with Louis Vuitton. The appointment is similar to a homecoming for Williams as he has previously collaborated with the Luxury House in 2004 and 2008. The board of directors is looking forward to working with Williams as his innovative streak and vision will be a worthy addition to the brand. Williams will reveal his new collection in June during the Men’s Fashion Week in Paris.
“I am glad to welcome Pharrell back home, after our collaboration in 2004 and 2008 for Louis Vuitton, as our new Creative Director. His creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton towards a new and very exciting chapter,” said Pietro Beccari, Louis Vuitton Chairman and CEO.
His earlier collaboration with the brand has been quite successful and the designs are still popular. The fact that the sunglasses collection he designed is listed at more than double their original price on resale sites proves that Williams is someone who knows what he is doing. The collection which went by the name Millionaire was reissued by Abloh in the year 2018. It is expected that Williams’ creative genius and innovative abilities will keep up the legacy left by Virgil Abloh, whose contributions to the brand are substantial. Perhaps, in Pharrell Williams, Louis Vuitton will find a worthy successor for Abloh.
Who is Virgil Abloh
Virgil Abloh’s appointment as the men’s artistic director was a milestone moment for Louis Vuitton. The man was a visionary who completely changed the fashion game and helped Louis Vuitton keep the throne it has been occupying in the fashion domain. Abloh’s nine collections for the brand were groundbreaking. The fashion landscape has never been the same ever since. What made Abloh different from the rest was his appreciation of pure art and ideas, that often defied hierarchies permeating the industry. His stellar vision opened the doors of the industry to people with ideas and imagination.
Abloh is someone who started his career from scratch and ended up becoming an unforgettable name in the industry. Kanye West might be infamous for several reasons, but he was the first one to recognize Abloh’s talent, and the fashion world will be eternally grateful to Ye for that. Abloh first worked as a creative consultant for Kanye, following which he interned at Fendi. He has a unique style and taste which is reflected in his collections. Abloh was someone with a rich imaginative spectrum. He often took inspiration for his designs from graffiti and wall paintings, thereby proving that imagination begins the moment you break away from conventional lines.
In November 2021, the fashion industry suffered an irreplaceable loss as Abloh succumbed to cancer. His position at Louis Vuitton has been vacant since.
About Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton is a company that has been reigning supreme in the fashion domain since time immemorial. In the past 150 years since its inception, the company has made a name for itself to the extent that a conversation about fashion will be incomplete without Louis Vuitton. The brand comes under the parent company, Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH). LVMH’s fortune and profits have increased tenfold, thanks to Louis Vuitton’s mindblowing sales during the pandemic, making Bernard Arnault, the owner of LVMH, one of the richest people in the world.
