Multi-hyphenated musician Pharrell Williams has added another line to his lengthy resume after being named Louis Vuitton’s new men’s creative director.
The 49-year-old will take over the role of Virgil Abloh, who made history as Louis Vuitton’s first black artistic director, following his death in November 2021.
Although Pharrell is best known for his musical talent, he already has a long fashion resume behind him.
The entrepreneur, who previously worked with the brand in 2004 and 2008, will unveil his first Vuitton collection in June during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris.
Singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams has been named Louis Vuitton’s new men’s creative director
Pharrell, who previously worked with the brand in 2004 and 2008, will debut his first collection in June during Paris Men’s Fashion Week
The 49-year-old takes on the role of Virgil Abloh, who made history as Louis Vuitton’s first black artistic director after his death in November
Taking to Instagram to announce the appointment, the brand shared a black and white image of the music producer wearing a Louis Vuitton blanket scarf around his head, alongside a caption that read, “Louis Vuitton is delighted Pharrell Williams as its new men’s creative director.
“His first collection for Louis Vuitton will be presented next June during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris.
“Pharrell Williams is a visionary whose creative universes span music to art to fashion and has become a global cultural icon over the past twenty years.
“The way he breaks boundaries in the diverse worlds he explores befits Louis Vuitton’s status as a house of culture and reinforces its values of innovation, pioneering spirit and entrepreneurship.”
Pietro Beccari, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton added: “I am delighted to welcome Pharrell back home as our new men’s creative director after our collaboration in 2004 and 2008 for Louis Vuitton.
“His creative vision beyond fashion will no doubt lead Louis Vuitton into a new and very exciting chapter.”
Best known for his music producing skills, Pharrell has also made a name for himself in the fashion world.
In the early 2000s, the star teamed up with Japanese fashion icon Nigo to launch streetwear label Billionaire Boys Club, as well as skateboarding-inspired footwear brand Ice Cream.
Pharrell (pictured center of the Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2009 show) has also made a name for himself in the fashion world
Pharrell has a longstanding relationship with the brand. Pictured: The singer at the launch of his sunglass collection at Louis Vuitton in 2005 (left) and at the unveiling of the brand during Paris Fashion Week 2008 (right)
In 2004, Pharrell collaborated with then-Vuitton creative director Marc Jacobs (pictured together) on a line of sunglasses
Those previous efforts focused on over-the-top hoodies with logos specializing in neon colors and dollar sign prints.
But his designs later became more measured, and Pharrell had a slew of collaborations with Diesel, Chanel, Moncler and Adidas.
And among his many accolades, he received the 2015 Fashion Icon Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Pharrell’s appointment follows the death of Virgil Abloh, who made history as Louis Vuitton’s first black artistic director.
Abloh died in November at the age of 41 after years of a secret battle with cancer.
The fashion prodigy, a married father of two, had privately battled a rare form of the disease called cardiac angiosarcoma. He was diagnosed with the disease in 2019.
“We are all shocked by this terrible news, Virgil was not only a designer genius, a visionary, he was also a man of beautiful soul and great wisdom,” said Bernault Arnault, executive director of Louis Vuitton and CEO of LVMH, in a statement on time.
Pharrell’s appointment follows the death of Virgil Abloh (pictured), who made history as Louis Vuitton’s first black artistic director
His designs have been endorsed by the biggest names in fashion including Kim Kardashian, Kanye West (pictured together), Hailey Bieber and sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid
Italian fashion designer Donatella Versace (center) and supermodel Naomi Campbell (left) were among the many celebrities who formed a relationship with Abloh (right).
At the time, Pharrell himself, who had been friends with the designer for many years, offered his condolences
“The LVMH family joins me at this moment of great sadness and we are all thinking of his loved ones after the death of their husband, brother, father or friend.”
Abloh’s designs have been endorsed by the biggest names in fashion, including Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Hailey Bieber and sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid.
At the time, Pharrell himself, who had been friends with the designer for many years, offered his condolences.
He took to Twitter with a tribute which read: “My heart is broken.
“Virgil, you were a kind, generous, thoughtful creative genius. Your work as a human and your work as a spiritual being will live forever.
‘Send love and light to your wife, children, family and day laborers who are with the Master now, shine.’
After his death, speculation about his potential successor reached a fever pitch, with other names being linked to the job, including independent designers such as Martine Rose and Grace Wales Bonner.