By Michealle Torres - published
Ever since Pharrell Williams took over the helm as Creative Director for Louis Vuitton menswear in 2023, we have all
been treated to a fashion and music spectacle of stellar proportions. From the first show that closed down the iconic Pont Neuf bridge in Paris to the second that turned the Jardin d’Acclimatation into a Western wonderland—his third offering is probably the biggest stage of them all, for now. Held at the UNESCO House in Paris, Pharrell brought Louis Vuitton to the world under the proudly waving flags of the United Nations. Le monde est à vous—the world is yours, and what better place to speak of unity in fashion than here?
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Diversity, inclusion and an overall sense of fun have been Pharrell’s trademarks during his tenure at Louis Vuitton. More than just making clothes, his collections (and his music) aim to put forward a bigger, more positive, message. Prior to the show, a teaser was released showing his collaboration with the creative collective Air Afrique and art critic Simon Njami, in the Hall of Nations with children. Here he talked about the philosophies of French politician and poet Aimé Césaire, on how diversity makes the world beautiful; a fitting prelude for what Pharrell showed in Paris.
The show began with a parade of musicians—music, after all, is very much a part of the Louis Vuitton DNA now. Trombones, drums, and string instruments set the tone for a collection that reflects the House’s global perspective and its affinity for travel. UNESCO’s gardens were transformed into a runway, made to resemble the iconic Damier pattern, another detail that goes to show the attention and thought that comes with this presentation.
On the runway, the clothes stood out on their own. Starting with a parade of black ensembles and coordinates: an all-
velvet tracksuit, a buttery hoodie with silver embroidered logos, a single button blazer with a beaded collar—all
complemented with dark sunglasses and the occasional beret. There was a transparent windbreaker in bright red,
paired with a classic all-black suit, which spoke volumes on how Louis Vuitton and Pharrell have managed to fuse
their styles and sensibilities.
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Showcasing the love for travel and leisurely luxury, the prints injected a sense of fun and youthfulness to the
collection. Logo shirts and polos embroidered with foliage, a bomber jacket with the earth view as the base fabric, a full suit with a green and blue Damier pattern (and a matching bag!), and jersey shirts that feature the Air Afrique colours—it was a celebration of global fashion.
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And what Louis Vuitton show would be complete without the bags? They came in all sizes, extra big for weekend getaways, extra mini for date nights, mid-size for just about everything else—Louis Vuitton’s bag choices for next season are endless.