Pharrell Williams who runs his own streetwear label Billionaire Boys Club and its sub label Ice Cream has just been announced as Louis Vuitton’s new Men’s Creative Director. The American record producer, rapper, singer, songwriter, and fashion designer will debut his first collection in June during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris.
Known for blending luxury and street fashion in his designs, Williams has been operating Billionaire Boys Club with Japanese designer Nigo since 2003. The entrepreneur has also been a longtime collaborator of Louis Vuitton. His first design with the French fashion house was the famous “Millionaire” sunglasses, which late Virgil Abloh, the first Black creative director of the brand, had named the “1.1 millionaires.”
In an official statement, the company welcomed back the 49 year old to the Louis Vuitton family and said: “Pharrell Williams is a visionary whose creative universes expand from music to art, and to fashion – establishing himself as a cultural global icon over the past twenty years. The way in which he breaks boundaries across the various worlds he explores, aligns with Louis Vuitton’s status as a Cultural Maison, reinforcing its values of innovation, pioneer spirit, and entrepreneurship.”
Pietro Beccari, Louis Vuitton’s Chairman and CEO also added: “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. His creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton towards a new and very exciting chapter.”
The “Happy” singer is thrilled to be collaborating with Louis Vuitton. The artist shared a series of photos on his Instagram account with the caption: “Where it all started.”
In 2015, the Council of Fashion Designers of America gave him the Fashion icon award. In his speech, Williams confessed:
“Since I was a little boy, I lived in my head. There were no rules, just a dreamland. What if? land. It’s the first step when you don’t have the means. The second step comes naturally: It’s when someone encourages you to be different. They also free you from the ubiquitous matrix of opinions.
“Jordans are incredible, but they were out of my price range. Vans and Chuck Taylors were affordable, and most importantly, they were the perfect canvas for do-it-yourself. DIY got me through high school.”
Although he doesn’t have any professional training as a designer, Pharrell Williams has been creating since the early ‘90s. The 13-time Grammy winner has a fragrance with Comme des Garçons, a line of luxury handbags with Moynat, and a limited-edition set of macarons with Ladurée and Colette. He also has a sunglasses collaboration with Tiffany & Co. coming out soon.
