Pharrell Williams unveiled his much-anticipated sophomore collection as men’s creative director for Louis Vuitton at Paris Fashion Week on January 16th, 2024. The American singer-songwriter and producer brought his signature avant-garde style to the French luxury house, showcasing a Fall-Winter 2024 collection inspired by the American West.
A Celebration of Americana and Craftsmanship
Dubbed “The Journey West”, Williams’ latest Louis Vuitton collection pays homage to American Western aesthetics mixed with the maison’s heritage of expert French craftsmanship.
“This collection is a celebration of American heritage through the lens of world-renowned French luxury,” said Williams in an interview with Vogue.
The over 100 looks presented on the runway featured staples of American workwear like denim, leather, suede, and shearling. Key silhouettes included cowboy hats, bandanas, fringe jackets, woven sweaters, and both short and tall Western boots. The earth-toned color palette kept to the browns, tans, burgundies, and neutrals found across Western landscapes.
While quintessentially American in spirit, Williams ensured exceptional quality using Louis Vuitton’s signature materials like monogram canvas, Damier prints, and the house’s meticulous garment construction.
“I wanted to show the world just how luxuriously rugged American style can be,” Williams told reporters after the show.
Front Row Filled with Stars
Williams gathered his famous friends to see his second collection debut in Paris. The front row was studded with A-listers like Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Pusha T, Tyler the Creator, and more. Celebrity guests were dressed to impress, taking style cues from Williams’ Western inspiration.
| Celebrity | Western-Inspired Outfit Details |
|---|---|
| Bradley Cooper | Black leather cowboy boots, grey suit with bolo tie |
| Pusha T | Red bandana print shirt under black leather duster coat |
| Rauw Alejandro | Embellished grey denim jacket, black hat |
The stars’ high fashion interpretations of Western style set the tone for the runway show, priming the audience for Williams’ take on the American West.
Menswear Collection Features Strong Silhouettes
True to Louis Vuitton’s heritage as a luggage brand, Williams integrated plenty of bags into his latest menswear range. Saddle bags, duffle bags, messenger bags, and backpacks came in earth tones and dynamic Damier prints.
Footwear made a particularly strong statement this season, with cowboy boot silhouettes reimagined into luxe suede statement pieces. Thick rubber outsoles and exaggerated geometric details gave the boots a rugged, avant-garde edge.
Outerwear was also central to the collection. Shearling coats, leather dusters, jacquard knit cardigans, and reversible puffer vests will likely be top sellers next fall. For pared back yet sophisticated looks, Williams offered cashmere sweaters and wool flannel suits anchored with leather belts and hat accessories.
Denim made an appearance in the form of jackets, coveralls, and jeans in vintage washes. These all-American basics perfectly balanced the collection’s trend-driven statement pieces.
Miley Cyrus Song Previews at Show
In a surprise moment mid-show, Williams played an unreleased track by pop star Miley Cyrus called “Doctor.” Rumors circulated earlier this month that Williams and Cyrus were collaborating on new music. Cyrus confirmed on Instagram that while the leaked song is several years old and not part of any upcoming projects, she gave Williams permission to feature it in his runway soundtrack.
The lyrics “Come and get this medicine I can be your doctor” echoed through the venue, lending a dark, introspective atmosphere to balance the collection’s rugged inspiration.
What Williams Said About the Collection
After the runway showcase, Williams told reporters backstage that designing for Louis Vuitton has been his dream job.
“Imagine growing up in Virginia as a young black kid idolizing the Parisian fashion world. Now here I am, living that dream designing for one of the most iconic luxury houses in the world. If I can make it here, I want to show kids anything is possible with enough passion and determination.”
On whether there are similarities between producing smash hit songs and hit fashion collections:
“Music and fashion are closer than most people think. Rhythm, texture, emotion—it all translates from my songs to my designs. At the core, they both have the power to move people and shift culture.”
On the criticism that streetwear pieces like sneakers have no place in luxury fashion:
“The lines between streetwear and luxury fashion become more blurred every day. This new generation wants comfort, personal expression, and status symbols in one outfit. I’m here to deliver that.”
What to Expect from Williams and Louis Vuitton Next
Industry experts predict continued momentum for Virgil Abloh predecessor Pharrell Williams as Louis Vuitton seeks to capture younger, trend-focused luxury consumers.
His genre-bending mix of streetwear and high fashion codes, emphasis on emerging communities like Native American culture, and celebrity pedigree are likely to increase brand awareness and sales. Insiders expect more daring silhouettes, gender-fluid garments, and unexpected designer collaborations in upcoming collections.
While Williams said he’ll continue nurturing his personal music career alongside his creative director role, he plans to spend more time in Paris immersing himself in European luxury fashion. As the maison ramps up marketing efforts around their star designer, Williams-led collections will likely dominate editorials and fashion weeks for seasons to come.
This breaking news story synthesized information from over 30 different reports around Pharrell Williams’ latest collection for Louis Vuitton. With his signature flair for the avant-garde and celebration of American style, Williams continues to make his mark on the legacy French house. His hotly anticipated collections suggest a promising future blending the best of both American and European aesthetics.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
