Virgil Abloh — who passed away in 2021 after a battle with cancer — always worked closely with the music industry in his capacity as Men's Creative Director at Louis Vuitton.
It would make a sort of sense, then, that his successor also be heavily involved in the world of music, but one might be surprised to find out just how major that involvement is — as announced today, Pharrell Williams will be replacing Abloh as Louis Vuitton's Men's Creative Director.
This isn't totally unprecedented, as Williams has had a foot in the world of fashion for decades now, and has even collaborated with Louis Vuitton in the past. It's unclear whether this means he'll be stepping back from music for a while, but time will tell.
Louis Vuitton released a statement about the new hire, writing:
Louis Vuitton is delighted to welcome Pharrell Williams 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.
Pharrell Williams is a visionary whose creative universes expand from music to art, and to fashion – establishing himself as a cultural global icon over the past twenty years. The way in which he breaks boundaries across the various worlds he explores, aligns with Louis Vuitton's status as a Cultural Maison, reinforcing its values of innovation, pioneer spirit, and entrepreneurship.
"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. His creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton towards a new and very exciting chapter." – Pietro Beccari, Louis Vuitton's Chairman and CEO.
It would make a sort of sense, then, that his successor also be heavily involved in the world of music, but one might be surprised to find out just how major that involvement is — as announced today, Pharrell Williams will be replacing Abloh as Louis Vuitton's Men's Creative Director.
This isn't totally unprecedented, as Williams has had a foot in the world of fashion for decades now, and has even collaborated with Louis Vuitton in the past. It's unclear whether this means he'll be stepping back from music for a while, but time will tell.
Louis Vuitton released a statement about the new hire, writing:
Louis Vuitton is delighted to welcome Pharrell Williams 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.
Pharrell Williams is a visionary whose creative universes expand from music to art, and to fashion – establishing himself as a cultural global icon over the past twenty years. The way in which he breaks boundaries across the various worlds he explores, aligns with Louis Vuitton's status as a Cultural Maison, reinforcing its values of innovation, pioneer spirit, and entrepreneurship.
"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. His creative vision beyond fashion will undoubtedly lead Louis Vuitton towards a new and very exciting chapter." – Pietro Beccari, Louis Vuitton's Chairman and CEO.
