American musician, record producer and designer Pharrell Williams will succeed Virgil Abloh as men’s artistic director of Louis Vuitton, according to a statement released by the French luxury fashion house on Tuesday.
The appointment is effective immediately and his first collection will debut in June during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris.
“I am pleased to welcome Pharrell home, following our 2004 and 2008 collaborations for Louis Vuitton, as our new men’s creative director,” Louis Vuitton CEO Pietro Beccari said in a statement. “His creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton to a very exciting new chapter.”
The news comes just over a year after Abloh died in November 2021, aged 41, following a private battle with cancer.
The unexpected passing of the visionary designer sent shockwaves through the industry and beyond. As Louis Vuitton’s first black creative director, Abloh made history when he was appointed in 2018 and was widely credited with bringing a younger demographic to the famed fashion house with designs that brought a streetwear aesthetic to the world of luxury.
Virgil Abloh at a 2021 Louis Vuitton event in Paris. Credit: Christian Vierig/Getty Images
The news of Williams’ appointment ends months of speculation over who would succeed Abloh.
While 13-time Grammy winner Williams is best known for his music career, the 49-year-old also has strong fashion credentials. He co-founded streetwear brand Billionaire Boys Club in 2003 with fashion designer Nigo and has collaborated with numerous luxury brands including Tiffany & Co., Moncler and Adidas.
Pharrell Williams and wife Helen Lasichanh at the 2021 Met Gala. Credit: Lexie Moreland/WWD/Penske Media/Getty Images
From a huge brown top hat he wore to the 2014 Grammy Awards to his now-iconic jewel-embellished Tiffany sunglasses, Williams’ bold personal style often makes headlines and he’s no stranger to the first. fashion rank.
It remains to be seen how Williams will apply his skills to his new role at Louis Vuitton, but a flurry of industry backlash to the social media news suggests he’ll have a packed house at his first show this summer.
cnn
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