BAZAAR Editor’s Picks: Best Looks From Louis Vuitton Men’s Fall/Winter 2024
Saddle up! Pharrell Williams brings the fashion rodeo to town with a collection inspired by the American West.
Now with three Louis Vuitton shows under his belt, it is clear that Pharrell Williams is putting himself in the running for the position of fashion’s greatest showman. His first show, in June of last year, was held on the iconic Pont Neuf bridge in Paris at sundown. His second, for Pre-Fall 2024, was staged against the Hong Kong skyline, lit up by city lights and fireworks. For fall/winter 2024, Williams brought the Wild West to Paris. The Jardin d’Acclimatation is France’s first amusement and leisure park, commissioned by Emperor Napoleon and Empress Eugenie and inaugurated in 1860. On Tuesday night, it was where Williams held court in a set made to look like the arid plains of the American frontier.
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In 80 looks, Williams explored and expounded the wardrobe of the first American male archetype. All the cowboy tropes were present and accounted for—there were bolo ties and turquoise buttons, blanket coats and leather chaps. Saddlery-inspired stitching appeared on coats and jackets, while Western shirts came richly embroidered with flowers. Unsurprisingly, workwear formed the core of the collection, but elevated into a whole other realm through the savoir-faire of the Louis Vuitton ateliers. Denim was embellished with pearls, beads and sequins; a suit sported embroideries of cacti and cattle; cowboy paintings were transferred onto jacquards.
The pixelated Damouflage pattern that Williams introduced in his debut collection was here remixed in cow-print colours—which looks much more appealing than it sounds. The House’s Damier check was also cleverly crossed with Buffalo plaid, and splashed onto outerwear, sequinned pyjamas and trunks both large and small. On the accessories front, there was a collaboration with Timberland; as well as with artisans from the Dakota and Lakota nations, which yielded bags embroidered with the Dakota Flower motif or hand-painted parfleche patterns. Williams’ interpretation of his theme might sometimes come across a bit too literal, but there are plenty here for consumers to go gaga over. Below, Style Editor Gracia Phang shares her top picks from the collection.
Look 7
Worn over a casual tank top and vintage-washed slouchy denim, this collarless white tailored jacket look was a breath of fresh air amongst the other heavily embellished and layered looks in the collection. Of course, Pharrell Williams would have a peek of pearls—this time on a single-strand necklace punctuated with turquoise gems, which completely reflected the jacket and its stand-out buttons. And hang on, is that a new messenger bag we see?
Related Article: Watch The Louis Vuitton Men’s Fall/Winter 2024 Show Here
Look 8
Following right after was this camel three-piece suit; with the third piece being a pair of pleated shorts. The fully-accessorised look is reminiscent of a business man who's constantly on the go: envelope pouch slung snugly across the body, leather Speedy bag in hand (decked out with horse shoe-inspired hardware on the sides, no less), and a matching tie. It may be overwhelming at first, but it works! Mainly because it's a tonal look, and the swish of the shorts breaks it up, giving it movement and life.
Look 12
Photo: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton
Note that the turquoise buttons appeared consistently throughout most of Williams' tailored pieces in this collection; this time on an oversized wool peacoat. Worn in contrast against a shirt with feminine ruffle details and a ribbon tie, dark-wash denims and a felt cowboy hat, this look puts an interesting twist on the cowboy look—one with panache, of course. Don't forget the pearl ear studs.
Look 43
A personal favourite: this pearl-embroidered knitted cardigan in signal yellow, complete with pearl buttons—trust me when I say I've looked through Williams' Fall/Winter 2024 Men's collection thrice, and I keep coming back to this. There's a sense of positivity and ease as it's styled over a collared shirt, with its collars tucked under for a softer look. The checkered backpack and workwear-style roomy denim add a touch of realness, like one could actually wear this look down the street and be comfortable and confident.
Look 51
At first glance, my mind immediately went to Wednesday Addams (the Jenna Ortega version) and Tim Burton's Beetlejuice, and it beckoned me to take a closer look. A bomber jacket made of python leather with pearlised press studs—fancy! While the western-styled buckle belt and embellished ribbon tie lend a touch of the Wild West, this could be your Friday fit to the bar after hours.
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Look 63
Photo: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton
If python leather is not for you, how about a beautiful, luscious fox fur bomber? Worn with denim, a leather monogramed Speedy, and pony-hair boots, it's effortless and elegant—with a touch of rebelliousness. The unassuming ribbon tie is key in lending a much-neeed feminine touch. Everybody loves a bad boy with a gentle side, don't they?