Pharrell Williams: Fashion Icon's Journey to Louis Vuitton Creative Director

From his humble beginnings on the beaches of Virginia to conquering the world as a music producer, singer, and fashion designer, Pharrell Williams has never seen limits to what he can create.

From starting his career to becoming the Creative Director of Louis Vuitton, Pharrell Williams has quietly sparked trends in both music and fashion, including being a member of The Neptunes and NERD, a producer and singer, founding Billionaire Boys Club, designing for Adidas, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton. Pharrell has dedicated himself to music, earning 13 Grammy awards.

Peak Skateboard P (2002)

Entering the new millennium, Pharrell Williams had already established a decade-long career as a producer and musician. In 2002, the single “Hot in Herre,” produced by Nelly, was released. This markee when Pharrell, also known as Skateboard P from his high school nickname, began his journey to become a fashion icon.

Wearing an Element t-shirt and loose-fit jeans, Pharrell combined his unique elements:

A white fur-lined denim jacket
A NERD trucker hat
Diamond-studded earrings
A large ring

This blend of luxury and casualness fit well within the Y2K hip-hop world, yet it was distinctively Pharrell’s.

Streetwear 101 (2003)

This year, Pharrell and his collaborator NIGO founded Billionaire Boys Club. This clothing company further solidified Pharrell’s position in streetwear style.

The Beginning of Louis Vuitton x Pharrell Williams (2004)

This year marked Pharrell Williams’ first high-fashion collaboration with Louis Vuitton under the leadership of Marc Jacobs. Pharrell, Marc, and NIGO created a collection of sunglasses adorned with gold iconography inspired by the moniker “Millionaire.”

Worn by Kanye West, the fame and influence of these sunglasses cannot be denied. So much so that three years later (2007), this style was re-released as the “1:1 Millionaires.”

Standout with Psych Camo (2005)

On MTV’s TRL show, Pharrell Williams wore a different style of the classic BAPE hoodie called “Psych Camo,” paired with a Billionaire Boys Club t-shirt, wide-legged jeans, and BAPE STA sneakers. Around his neck, he sported a NERD pendant from Jacob & Co., made of 157.58-carat pink sapphires and colored diamonds, depicting caricatures of the group’s members.

This ensemble was auctioned on Pharrell Williams’ Joopiter platform for $2.184 million in November 2022. At this point, Pharrell was cementing his role as a trendsetter with a far-reaching vision.

The Bag Affair (2007)

Pharrell Williams achieved significant feats with the Hermès bag during the 2000s. The Haut à courroies, this travel accessory was specially made—a satchel bag predating the famous Birkin, designed for equestrian equipment. Pharrell used it for sneakers and hoodies.

This bag made waves not only for its purple crocodile leather material but also because Pharrell was one of the first—if not the first—men in hip-hop to carry a bag traditionally considered for women. His partnership with this bag even landed them both on the cover of Paper magazine in 2008. Pharrell once again masterfully blended streetwear and luxury, challenging gender norms to express himself.

BTS “Blason” by Louis Vuitton (2008)

This also marked another critical year in Pharrell’s journey with Louis Vuitton. Under Marc Jacobs’ guidance, Pharrell Williams designed jewelry for the “Blason” collection in collaboration with Louis Vuitton’s jewelry advisor, Camille Miceli. The designs featured intricate engravings and creative use of white gold and yellow gold, adorned with numerous diamonds.

During the collection’s debut, Williams sat stylishly in the front row at the fashion show for the French luxury brand’s Fall/Winter 2008-2009 men’s collection.

Casual Luxury (2011)

Before his official collaboration with Chanel, the customized Timberland boots Pharrell wore showcased another perfect balance between luxury and street style. The outfit drew inspiration from the alt-rock of the 1990s, featuring ripped denim shorts, a flannel shirt tied around the waist, a military green t-shirt, and the perfect leather jacket adorned with a Mickey Mouse patch. Additionally, the somewhat knee-length shorts became a hallmark of Williams’ style in the 2010s.

Iconic Hat Moment (2014)

The iconic hat that sparked countless memes first appeared at the 2014 Grammy Awards, where Pharrell won four awards that night. Amid a sea of tuxedos and evening gowns, he stood out with his casual ensemble: a red Adidas tracksuit jacket, white t-shirt, jeans, and boots. The outfit’s centerpiece was a reimagined version of Vivienne Westwood’s Buffalo hat, first seen in the Fall/Winter 1982-1983 collection. Pharrell demonstrated his deep understanding of both hip-hop and avant-garde fashion history.

Adidas and Pharrell (2014–present)

Pharrell Williams’ first successes in his collaboration with Adidas included the bright-colored Stan Smith sneakers and the sporty track jacket. Rather than confining himself to one or two designs, the designer created new variations on renowned shoe models like the Superstar, Samba, and Ultraboost.

He continued to share his unique vision with the Hu NMD line, which became a streetwear fashion icon. The limited Chanel x adidas Originals Pharrell Williams Hu NMD release in 2017 solidified its status. Pharrell’s collections with Adidas span various niches, including hiking, tennis, basketball, and running, as well as the incorporation of Billionaire Boys Club with Hu NMD in 2018.

Pharrell at the Met Gala (2018)

With the theme “Heavenly Bodies” in 2018, Pharrell and his wife Helen Lasichanh wore coordinated Chanel outfits as brand guests. Sporting a blonde buzz cut, Pharrell donned a black suit with a high-collared white shirt complemented by multicolored gemstone-studded cross necklaces, white socks, and black leather brogues. He certainly knows how to dress, yet he always adds his unique twist to keep things fresh.

Chanel Collaboration (2019)

Before their official collaboration, Williams was already an exceptional ambassador for Chanel. In 2014, he composed a song for the fashion house and became the first man to model the iconic Chanel handbags in the same year.

Pharrell took to the runway during the “Métiers d’art” collection inspired by ancient Egypt at Chanel in December 2018. “Chanel-Pharrell” became the brand’s first concise collection, featuring colorful clothing and accessories, injecting streetwear style into Chanel’s timeless pieces.

Human Race (2022)

Pharrell Williams introduced a collection of unisex loungewear

In collaboration with Adidas towards the end of 2021. The collection included t-shirts, hoodies, jogger pants, and tracksuits.

25 Carat (2023)

When Pharrell Williams appeared at the 2023 Grammy Awards wearing this sparkling and unique pair of sunglasses, he revealed that it was a formal collaboration with Tiffany & Co. The glasses featured an 18k gold frame, two emerald-cut emeralds, and 61 diamonds, weighing over 25 carats.

Creative Director of Men’s Clothing at Louis Vuitton (2023)

Pharrell is a talented and enthusiastic creative individual. Apart from his previous collaborations with high-end French fashion houses, he has worked with Moncler and COMME des GARÇONS and designed partnerships with NIGO: Billionaire Boys Club, Ice Cream, and Human Made. When discussing his approach to the collection, he stated: “There are no boundaries as long as you can keep the heritage and keep it moving.”

In sum, Pharrell Williams’ fashion journey from his beginnings as a music producer to his role as the Creative Director of men’s clothing at Louis Vuitton showcases his unique blend of luxury and streetwear, his ability to challenge norms, and his continuous innovation in the world of fashion.

From: Grindsshop.com