Louis Vuitton menswear names Pharrell Williams as new creative director
The music producer and fashion entrepreneur follows in the footsteps of Virgil Abloh, who died in 2021
Luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton (LV) has named musician and fashion entrepreneur Pharrell Williams as its creative director for its menswear section.
He succeeds Virgil Abloh, who previously held the position from 2018 until his death in November 2021.
Williams and LV have a history of collaboration, having created a line of sunglasses for the label in 2004, which were reissued by Abloh in 2018.
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In a statement on Instagram, the Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton Pietro Beccari said: “I am glad to welcome Pharrell back home, after our collaborations in 2004 and 2008 for Louis Vuitton, as our new Men’s Artistic Director. His creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton towards a new and very exciting chapter.”
Posting the news on his Instagram page today with a set of pictures of him wearing various LV pieces, Williams simply wrote: “Where it all started @louisvuitton”.
Williams’s first collection will come in June 2024 at the Paris Fashion Week.
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On top of the previous work with LV, Williams has collaborated with other luxury brands like Chanel and Moncler, as well as having a partnership with Adidas Originals.
As one of the world’s most eminent producers, Williams has a long and storied musical career. He first rose to prominence as part of The Neptunes in the 1990s, before becoming the lead vocalist of N.E.R.D.
His 2013 collaboration with Daft Punk on ‘Get Lucky’ saw him win the GRAMMY awards for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
He has also worked with the likes of Snoop Dogg, Britney Spears, Robin Thicke and Kelis.
Williams’s predecessor Abloh became the first Black creative director for LV’s menswear section in 2018. Known for incorporating aspects of streetwear and hip hop culture into the luxury clothes, his work helped to bring LV’s clothes to a more diverse, younger audience.
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