Pharrell Makes His Much Anticipated Debut at LV
At last, Pharrel Williams’s debut collection with Louis Vuiton made its first appearance in Paris on June 20th bringing in a new era of menswear for the label and making fashion history.
Following the passing of the late creative director Virgil Abloh, Pharrel had big shoes to fill following his appointment to the role this past February. Pharrel, well known for his musical career as a producer and artist, as well as his signature style, was a close friend and colleague to Virgil.
Pharrel’s unique style has been admired for years, prompting collaborating with brands like Chanel in 2019 and Tiffany & Co in 2022. The step from collabs to directing and designing a menswear collection is a major feat and a challenge Pharrel accepted with LV.
Photo: GQ
The show took place at Paris Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge stretching cross the Sienne in the heart of the city. The location alone is iconic, setting the stage for a spectacular show sure to make history.
The guestlist for the runway show did not disappoint. Attendees included Beyoncé, Jay Z, Kim Kardashian, Rihannah, ASAP Rocky, Zendaya, Naomi Campbell, Willow and Jaden Smith, and many more iconic faces. Beyoncé made a pit stop on the European leg of her world tour to attend the show, styled in a Louis Vuitton oversized satin pants and robe, embellished with flowers. Styles with a leather black monogram LV bag and oversided black sunglasses, Queen B made a statement in her rare event appearance. Kim wore a Louis Vuitton camo collared athletic set with checkered pattern. The sports bra and leggings were paired with black pumps, a black fur trench, and an over the top fuzzy coordinating camo belt back along her waist. The common theme among many guests were outstanding prints, cooardnating sets, and oversized styles,
Photo: Vogue
As boats sailed below, the show commenced at Pont Neuf on a spectacular yellow checkers monogram catwalk, featuring an orchestra, dressed in white under the setting sun of Paris. The beginning of show featured suspenseful music conducted by the orchestra. Looks included trench coats, boots, shorts suits, and other military impired pieces orderned in shades of forest camouflage in a checkered monogram print.
A change in music introduces a change in the style, an upbeat rap song plays as oversized coordinating looks made the stage, featuring colors like yellow, dark brown, royal blue, and emerald green. Unique patterns and appliques are found throughout and no piece is left dull or unadorned.
Transitions as a choir in white robes begins to sing the word “joy” on repeat. Introducing sailor-like styles. This sector of the collection featured gray and light brown suits, red letterman jackets, more trench coats. Patterns are much less present, however looks were styled with bags with a classic Louis Vuitton monogram pattern and accessories with details like LV pins, chains, and pearls. Unique pieces like a boat shaped purse in Louis Vuitton monogrammed canvas, and a fun trench monogrammed as well made a statement as the show came to an end.
As models returned to the catwalk for their final group walk, Pharre thanked the crown rocking a checkered camouflage suit and baseball cap and diamond emcrested Tiffany & Co sunglasses, hugging family, all dressed in cooaridnating looks.
As if the show wasnt enough of a statement, Jay-Z and Pharell made the night one to never forget with a performance following the runway show. Without a doubt, Pharell is carring Louis Vuitton into their next chapter with ground breaking new looks and ideas that are sure to make waves in menswear in the coming seasons.