Pharrell Williams Named New Men's Creative Director At Louis Vuitton
13-time Grammy-winner Pharrell Williams has been named men's creative director at luxury fashion house, Louis Vuitton.
Louis Vuitton has landed on Pharrell Williams as the new menswear creative director.
The brand announced the partnership on its social media accounts.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Williams, 49, was originally in talks to succeed late fashion icon Virgil Abloh, who was previously Louis Vuitton's men's head designer. Last reported to be considered as successors for Abloh at Louis Vuitton were Telfar Clemens of TELFAR, Martine Rose and Grace Wales Bonner of Wales Bonner. Williams' potential move to Louis Vuitton would come as the brand has reached $20 billion in revenue, making it the biggest fashion house globally.
Although Williams is known for being one-half of legendary production team, The Neptunes, along with being a member of rap-rock trio N.E.R.D. and a solo act, his ties to fashion are historical. In the early-2000s, Williams partnered with Japanese fashion designer, Nigo, to co-found Billionaire Boys Club and shoe brand, Ice Cream. In 2008, the 13-time Grammy-winner collaborated with Louis Vuitton on jewelry designs and an exclusive aviator-esque “Millionaire” sunglasses, now available on resale websites like Grailed.
Five years after being awarded the Fashion Icon Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Williams started his skincare line, Humanrace, selling sunscreen, exfoliators and face cleansers. Williams was also a longtime friend of Abloh, who died in November 21 after a two-year battle with cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare form of cancer.
"My heart is broken Virgil you were a kind, generous, thoughtful creative genius," Williams tweeted at the time of Abloh's death.