Pharrell Williams, the music producer, songwriter, and entrepreneur, has been appointed as the new Men’s Creative Director for Louis Vuitton. Williams, who has worked with the brand previously in 2004 and 2008, will now head the creative direction for the Men’s line, with his first collection for the brand set to be unveiled in June during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris.
The role is a big one that he’s stepping into after Virgil Abloh’s tragic passing in 2021. Abloh, who propelled the French fashion house to new heights as Louis Vuiton’s artistic director, redefined the luxury industry in its approach to streetwear and what a designer could be and mean in fashion. Williams, like his close friend Abloh, doesn’t have a traditional design background—which gives him a distinct perspective and uniquely fit to lead the luxury brand, merging culture, entertainment, and fashion into one.
[Photo: Louis Vuitton]The appointment has been lauded by Pietro Beccari, Louis Vuitton’s Chairman and CEO, who expressed his excitement for the new chapter that Williams’ leadership will bring to the fashion house.
“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,” says Beccari. “His creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton towards a new and very exciting chapter.”
Williams is no stranger to success, having won 13 Grammy Awards, received two Academy Award nominations, and been honored with ASCAP’s Golden Note Award. In 2019, he founded YELLOW, a non-profit organization working to even the odds for all youth through education. He also launched Black Ambition, a non-profit initiative that provides a bridge to success for Black and Latinx entrepreneurs who are launching start-ups.
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Williams’ entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit has been a driving force behind his success, with his clothing brands Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream, and his product company HumanraceTM, aimed at empowering individuals in their pursuit of well-being. He has also made significant strides in advocacy, working with Virginia Governor Northam to make Juneteenth a permanent paid state holiday.
Louis Vuitton, founded in 1854, has been known for its unique designs that combine innovation and style. The brand has remained faithful to the spirit of its founder, Louis Vuitton, who invented a genuine “Art of Travel” through luggage, bags, and accessories that were creative, elegant, and practical.
Williams’ appointment as the Men’s Creative Director for Louis Vuitton is an exciting and interesting development that will undoubtedly draw a strong reaction on both sides of the conversation. Time will tell how he leads the brand into its next era.
