Photo: Louis Vuitton
Virginia Beach’s legendary record producer, rapper and the founder of Humanrace and Something In The Water Festival Pharrell Lanscilo Williams has finally showcased his first Men’s Spring-Summer Collection. Aptly titled “Phinally”, the Louis Vuitton Men’s Wear show was held at the Pont Neuf in Paris.
“Phinally” is Williams’ first runway show since becoming the second African-American Creative Director of Louis Vuitton. In February this year, the “Down In Atlanta” record producer succeeded the late Virgil Abloh and helmed “Artistic Direction” for Menswear at Louis Vuitton.
Paying homage to the late Louis Vuitton, who influenced a genuine “Art of Travel” through luggage, bags and accessories, Williams produced three original compositions – “Peace Be Still” ft. Lang Lang, “Chains & Whips” by Clipse, “JOY (Unspeakable)” by Voices of Fire alongside vivid hues and captivating motifs which redefined LV’s Damier motifs as we know them.
For Pharrell’s debut LV runway show, Paris’ historic Pont Neuf Bridge was adorned with Damier prints. The design, which furthers Abloh’s legacy and impact on high fashion, is quintessentially Pharrell.
It’s Pharrell’s extraordinary world and we’re just living in it. For his major high-fashion debut, Williams invited Tokyo’s “A Bathing Ape” founder Tomoaki Nagao or “Nigo”. Besides his longtime collaborator in music and fashion, Williams’ runway show was attended by ‘the Carter’ Jay-Z, Tyler, The Creator, A$ap Rocky, Rihanna, Zendaya, Lebron James, Mia Khalifa, Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian.
Inspired by Pharrell’s distinct understanding of African-American fashion, visible through his own work at “Humanrace” and “Billionaire Boys Club”, the Spring-Summer Menswear runway show is enormous and inspiring both at once.
For his debut Menswear show in Paris, Pharell envisioned The Pont Neuf as embodying a “metaphorical bridge between Virginia and Paris” and showcased 12 varied pieces of clothing, accessories and LV bags – “THE SUN / What will you do when the sun shines on you?”, “VA TO PARIS / Princess Anne”, VA IS FOR LVERS / Virginia Is For Lovers”, “DAMOFLAGE / Damier Meets camo”, “DAMIER / Colors starting with yello”, “DANDY / The dandy”, “COMFY / Footprints”, “TRUNKS / Healing Properties”, “SUNGLASSES / Super zooming”, “HENRY TAYLOR / Human relations”, “SPEEDY / Canal Street” and “JOY (Unspeakable).”
“Contemporary dandy silhouettes encrusted with pearls and crystals boldly paraded down the Pont Neuf Bridge for Pharrell Williams’ debut collection,” Louis Vuitton said about its runway show.
However, beyond the seductive world of fashion, Pharrell’s show is an ode to Abloh.
“THE MOMENT IS DEDICATED TO THE GIANT BEFORE ME. TO OUR BROTHER IN SPIRIT” Pharrell wrote.
Watch Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring-Summer 2024 Fashion Show by Pharrell Williams in Paris:
