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Louis Vuitton announced it has hired Pharell Williams to be the creative director of its men's wear line. The French fashion house said it has chosen the rapper/songwriter as it sees him as a "visionary whose creative universes expand from music to art and to fashion."
As per BBC News, the Grammy-winning artist has co-founded the Billionaire Boys Club streetwear brand with Nigo in 2003, and this shows he has experience in the fashion field. He has also participated in design collaborations with major names in the fashion industry such as Chanel, Moncler, Adidas, and Marc Jacobs with whom he designed eyewear for LV.
Previously, the creative director role was filled by Virgil Abloh who was a high-profile designer but vacated the post when he died in 2021. To start his work at Louis Vuitton, Williams will be releasing his first collection under the LV banner. These will be showcased via the upcoming Men's Fashion Week which is slated in June in Paris, France.
In any case, Williams is also an artist with 13 Grammy Awards under his sleeve. He was also nominated for an Oscar for his "Happy" track which was part of the "Despicable Me 2" soundtrack. He also served as a judge in "The Voice" talent show.
"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's chairman and chief executive officer, Pietro Beccari, said in a statement. "His creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton towards a new and very exciting chapter."
Finally, Reuters reported that an analyst at Credit Suisse opined that Louis Vuitton's move to hire Williams was a good decision. They believe that he is a good fit for the role especially when LV's chief suggested they will continue the brand's link to music and pop culture. "He is a significant hire, needed to fill the big boots left by Virgil Abloh," the analyst simply said.
Photo by: Clarisse Croset/Unsplash
