(Paris) American musician, producer and stylist Pharrell Williams was appointed on Tuesday to succeed Virgil Abloh, who died in November 2021, as artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s men’s collections, the brand announced.
“Louis Vuitton is pleased to announce Pharrell Williams as Menswear Creative Director effective immediately,” the brand wrote in a statement.
“His first collection for Louis Vuitton will be unveiled next June during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris.”
“Pharrell Williams is a visionary whose creative worlds span from music to art and fashion – establishing himself as a universal cultural icon over the past twenty years. His ability to overcome the boundaries between the different worlds he explores fits naturally with the cultural dimension of Louis Vuitton, reinforcing its values of innovation, pioneering spirit and entrepreneurship. .
“I am happy to see Pharrell return home, after our collaborations in 2004 and 2008,” said Pietro Beccari, CEO of Louis Vuitton quoted in the press release. “His creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton to a very exciting new chapter,” he continues.
His appointment is in line with the legacy of Virgil Abloh, a jack-of-all-trades artist who became a fashion icon, for having skilfully married luxury and streetwear.
An approach shared by Pharrell Williams who, like the designer, died of cancer at the age of 41, a passion for skateboarding, the world of art and music.
Accustomed to the front rows of fashion shows and creator of planetary hits (Happy And get lucky Daft Punk), Pharrell Williams, 49, has made numerous fashion collaborations (Moncler, Adidas and… Louis Vuitton).
He also worked with the Japanese Nigo, recently appointed artistic director of Kenzo which also belongs to LVMH.
The last Vuitton show, in January, was marked by the performance of pop superstar Rosalia who almost stole the show from the collection.