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Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and producer, Pharell Williams teamed up with the legendary fashion house of Louis Vuitton to design a runway collection at the spring-summer show of Paris Fashion Week, 2024. This is his debut collection with Louis Vuitton.
In an interview prior to the show, Pharell stressed the importance of black history and the suffering of many that had made it possible for him today to debut as a menswear director for Louis Vuitton. He added that the dominance of black culture in the fashion industry currently has come at the cost of a traumatic history.
The audience for this show contained multiple high-profile names such as the music couple Beyonce and Jay-Z, Basketball star LeBron James and TV show personality and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian.
About the collection
Pharell Williams’ menswear collection consisted of Louis Vuitton classics like checkwork and leather patterns. Pixelated patterns also made an appearance. Some of the designs were also inspired by military-style camouflage. The handbags which came out on the runway were in primary colours and sometimes piled up decorated karts. The designs were well received by the audience, although some were of the opinion that they were safe options.
The presentation took place at one of Paris’s historic sites: the Pont Neuf. It is the oldest bridge in Paris. Accompanying the models wearing his styles was classical and “gospel-disco” as an AFP report put it.
In an interview with AFP, Pharell spoke about his predecessor who had passed away in 2021, saying that he was still spiritually present in this year’s designs. He also revealed that a few of the designs presented had been collaborations with the late director.
The collection received a standing ovation from the star-studded audience.
Pharell’s new role
Pharell Williams is primarily a music superstar and an influencer of culture. Many felt that it was a brave decision by Louis Vuitton to appoint him as a menswear director for their brand.
Pharell on his part said that he felt no pressure due to this. However, he was keen on keeping up with the legacy of the late Virgil Abloh. He was the first Black artistic director of Louis Vuitton. He was also a close friend of Pharrell himself. The role of black culture in fashion has been integral to Pharell’s designs.
At the end of the show, Pharell even stepped onto the stage with Jay-Z, another close friend and frequent collaborator, to close the show with an electric concert.
Pharell closed the show with tears in his eyes, bowing to the audience amidst applause.
The Paris Fashion Week
The Paris Fashion Week is a series of fashion shows held twice every year. These shows are hosted either as the spring/summer event or the autumn/winter event. Famous brands often make appearances during these events and put up their own runway shows across famous locations in Paris. Frequenters include Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton and more.
The 2024 Paris Fashion Week is scheduled from Tuesday the 20th of June to Sunday the 25th of June.
The Paris Fashion Week is considered a part of the “Big 4” fashion weeks, alongside New York, Milan and London. The event, as is known today, was first held in 1945. The bones of such fashion shows however have existed since longer ago in French fashion culture.
