Pharrell Williams: Music producer is Louis Vuitton’s new menswear creative director | The Art News

Pharrell Williams has been hired by Louis Vuitton to be the art director of its menswear designs – filling a high-profile role vacated by star designer Virgil Abloh after his death more than a year ago.

“Louis Vuitton is delighted to welcome @Pharrell as its new menswear creative director,” the fashion house said in a tweet, confirming earlier media reports.

The brand added that Williams’ first collection for the label will be presented during men’s fashion week in Paris in June.

Williams, 49, rose to fame as a music producer and frontman for NERD, and has been hailed as one of the most influential and successful producers of the 21st century.

He also enjoyed a successful solo singer-songwriter career, known for hits such as Happy and Blurred Lines.

Williams’ work on “Happy” for the animated film “Despicable Me 2” earned him one of two Oscar nominations. His second Academy nomination was Best Picture nominee Hidden Figures’ producer.

Also known for his distinctive style, Williams has extensive experience in the fashion industry, playing a major role in the rise of streetwear and co-founding the Billionaire Boys Club label with Japanese designer Nigo in 2003.

He has also collaborated with Adidas and luxury brands Moncler and Chanel.

In 2004, he collaborated with Louis Vuitton designer Marc Jacobs to create eyewear for the brand.

“significant hire”

Last year, Williams caused a stir when he appeared in Nigo’s first show in Paris wearing Tiffany diamond-encrusted glasses for Kenzo, another LVMH-owned house design project.

Analysts at Credit Suisse said: “Williams is an important hire who needs to fill the big boot left by Virgil Abloh.”

They also pointed to a “significant move” by new chief executive Pietro Beccari as a sign that the brand’s ties to pop culture and music are here to stay.

Abloh dies at 41 After a personal battle with cancer in 2021.

Influential Louis Vuitton menswear designer and founder of fashion label Off-White was diagnosed in 2019 with angiosarcoma of the heart – a rare and aggressive cancer.

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