The Grammy-winning producer, rapper, singer, and songwriter Pharrell Williams has been appointed as the new creative director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear line.
Williams was referred to as “a visionary whose creative universes expand from music to art to fashion” by the label.
In addition, he helped found the streetwear company Billionaire Boys Club.
High-profile designer Virgil Abloh, who passed away in 2021, previously served in the Louis Vuitton position.
Williams’ first collection for the label will be shown at Men’s Fashion Week in Paris in June.
“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,” Louis Vuitton chairman and chief executive Pietro Beccari said in a statement.
“His creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton towards a new and very exciting chapter,” Mr Beccari added.
Louis Vuitton is one of the world’s leading international fashion houses. It is part of the luxury goods group LVMH, which is owned by the world’s richest person Bernard Arnault.
Louis Vuitton is delighted to welcome @Pharrell as its new Men’s Creative Director. His first collection for Louis Vuitton will be revealed next June during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris. #LouisVuitton #PharrellWilliams pic.twitter.com/GRCQFfOAHK
— Louis Vuitton (@LouisVuitton) February 14, 2023
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Williams has won 13 Grammy Awards and was a judge on popular television talent competition The Voice.
He received an Oscar nomination for the song Happy which was part of the soundtrack of the animated film Despicable Me 2.
Williams co-founded the streetwear label Billionaire Boys Club with Japanese designer Nigo in 2003.
He has collaborated with sportswear giant Adidas and luxury brands Moncler and Chanel, and worked with Louis Vuitton designer Marc Jacobs to design eyewear for the label.
Williams was criticised last year when he attended a fashion show wearing a pair of diamond-studded Tiffany sunglasses.
Social media users highlighted similarities between the design and a pair of spectacles dating from India’s Mughal era.
Williams’ predecessor at Louis Vuitton, Virgil Abloh, was the founder of the Off-White fashion brand.
Known for fusing elements of streetwear with high fashion designs, he died from cancer in November 2021 at the age of 41.
His posthumous final menswear show was built around an elaborate “Dreamhouse” concept with angels, breakdancing models, and a disregard for gender in the designs.