Pharrell Williams’ debut show was one of the most highly anticipated events this year, if not in the entirety of fashion history. After debuting a whopping 71 new looks for the Men’s Spring-Summer 2024 show at Paris fashion week, he has changed the face of Louis Vuitton as we know it.
Pharrell William’s Louis Vuitton Debut
Pharrell was chosen as creative director of Louis Vuitton in late 2022 after the passing of Virgil Abloh, the former LV creative director. There was public backlash about appointing a musician and cultural figure as creative director instead of someone entrenched in the fashion industry. However, WIlliams is no newbie to fashion. Since owning and operating the luxury Japanese streetwear brand Billionaire Boys Club and its sister Ice Cream since 2003, Williams has greatly impacted the fashion industry for decades. He even collaborated with Louis Vuitton in 2004 to create the iconic “Millionaire” sunglasses that were featured in one of Virgil Abloh’s last shows in 2018.
Courtesy of GQ Middle East
The show took place at dusk on Pont Neuf in Paris, just blocks away from the LVMH headquarters. The runway displayed LV’s signature Damier, or checkerboard motif in two different tones of pale yellow. A full orchestra dressed in all white accompanied the show, setting the mood for an action-packed, suspenseful evening.
The first model donned the runway in a pale gray suit jacket with matching shorts. They were carrying a strapless burgundy bag with the LV logo displayed in gold. To Pharrell, the iconic LV not only represents the brand name but also Lovers. His interpretation of the logo symbolizes his intention to pour love and appreciation into his work, uplifting Black culture which has been historically underrepresented in the fashion industry.
The Model who opened up the show | Courtesy of Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton’s iconic checkerboard pattern was carried out throughout the show, but of course, Pharrell gave it his own twist, creating a new print: Damoflauge. Celebrities such as Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, ASAP Rocky, and even Pharrell himself sported this new print as they sat on the sidelines watching the majestic designs waltz down the runway.
Celebrities weren’t just on the sideline for this event: Pusha T and No Malice modeled twin jackets and debuted an unreleased song.
Pusha T and No Malice modeling twin jackets at the Pharrell Williams’ Louis Vuitton debut party | Courtesy of Louis Vuitton
As the show came to an end, Pharell walked down the yellow carpet with his creative team of over fifty people who helped him work on this magnificent show. The DJ encouraged guests to stay as glasses of champagne and cheeseburgers wrapped in Louis Vuitton paper were handed out throughout the audience. Jay-Z closed out the night of wonder with a surprise performance with Pharrell Williams himself.
This is just the beginning of Pharrell’s career with Louis Vuitton. If we learn anything from his debut, he definitely has some tricks up his sleeve and many more designs to come. Watch the whole show on Louis Vuitton’s website.
