Pharrell has been named the next Men’s Head Designer at Louis Vuitton, a position similar to that once held by the late Virgil Abloh.
The French fashion house made the hire official on Tuesday (February 14), revealing that Skateboard P’s first Louis Vuitton collection will be unveiled next June during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris.
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“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,” LV’s announcement read.
“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, added in a statement: “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.”
Pusha T was among those who saluted his close friend and fellow Virginia native for earning the new role at Louis Vuitton and being a trailblazer in the fashion space.
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“Let’s be clear…Like let’s be very clear…He’s always been first…Respectfully of course…Timelines don’t lie right? Put a date on it…And this was after designing the shades…years after. Correct me if I’m wrong…Congrats man,” he wrote.
Pusha added in another post: “Yeah, look at my man…congrats my man.”
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Louis Vuitton’s previous artistic director of menswear, Virgil Abloh, passed away on November 28, 2021 following a private two-year battle with cardiac angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
After his tragic death, LVMH didn’t replace Abloh’s historic role, which he assumed in 2018. He was the first Black person to occupy an artistic director job at a top French fashion house.
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Instead, Louis Vuitton released a series of tributes to Virgil’s final designs and appointed KidSuper’s Colm Dillane as temporary guest creative director in 2022.
Pharrell had a relationship with Virgil and attended the designer’s final runway show in November 2021 shortly after his passing.
Kanye West, Lil Baby, 21 Savage, DJ Khaled, Gunna, Metro Boomin and A$AP Ferg were also attendance, while Kid Cudi, Quavo and Offset walked the runway.
The 49-year-old icon didn’t take on many new endeavors in 2022 but continued to oversee his Billionaire Boy’s Club and ICE CREAM brands, which opened up a flagship store in Miami.
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In the past, Pharrell has designed a collection for Chanel and became the first male ambassador for Tiffany & Co.
