Inside Pharrell Williams's gospel-themed debut at Paris Fashion Week
With the commencement of the Paris Fashion Week fashion designers are bringing their A-game to the ramp. This season saw rapper, singer, and fashion icon Pharrell Williams teaming up with the luxury label Louis Vuitton for a fashion presentation that brought together music, fashion, and art like never before. And it was nothing less than an internet-breaking affair!
One of the anticipated events of the season
Williams's Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 display at Paris' Pont Neuf bridge was one of the most anticipated events of this season. The event, which celebrated Willaims's debut as a designer, was attended by a large number of people including many celebrities. As models graced the runway, Williams's vibrant menswear collection turned the venue into a lively gospel-inspired nightclub setting.
Pharrell Williams's debut collection
Acknowledging the past
In an interview with AFP before the show, Willaims acknowledged the traumatic history of the current supremacy of black culture, which has allowed him to get this opportunity to partner with the most successful fashion label in the world. The artist also spoke about his predecessor Virgil Abloh with whom he had collaborated in the past. Abloh died from cancer in 2021.
'Was conscious of the traumatic history': Williams
"We wish that our people and culture hadn't had to go through such hardship to get us here. It's not lost on me that a lot of people died, lost their lives and suffered... to get us to these positions," Williams stated.
Show highlights
An AFP report stated that the show itself was played "fairly safe," drawing on Louis Vuitton's familiar check patterns and leather work, adding in some pixelated patterns and some military-style camouflage. "The classic bags came out in primary colors and a couple of souped-up karts even made their way down the catwalk carrying piles of classic Vuitton luggage," it said.
A star-studded affair
Among the attendees for the show were Rihanna, Beyonce, Jay-Z, LeBron James, and Zendaya. Adding to the vibe of the show was the stately classical music that gave way to full-on gospel disco as the soundtrack progressed. At the conclusion of the evening, Jay-Z performed on the bridge, with a cameo from Williams, as a special treat for the audience.
