Skateboard P: How Pharrell went from Streetwear Legend to Disrupting Legacy Fashion
By Alexis Ramon
Pharrell Williams, legendary musician, producer, and fashion icon is set to become Louis Vuitton’s newest men’s creative director. Taking over from the brilliant mind of Virgil Abloh is a difficult task for anyone, but Pharrell has steadily built an impressive resume that spans nearly two decades of impacting fashion. A delve into his history in the fashion industry reveals that he is a perfect fit for Louis Vuitton and we should be excited to see how the two work to bring the future of fashion forward.
Far before Pharrell ever dreamt of working at the renowned French fashion house, he found himself dreaming of half-pipes and 180s at the skatepark. Skateboard P, as Pharrell was known in the late 90s, was heavily influenced by skateboarding culture and adopted an early style of streetwear and baggy clothing. As he began to build his name as a producer, he developed an affinity for flashy jewelry that is still seen in hip-hop culture to this day. However, it wasn’t until his visits to Japan that he truly began to develop his very own fashion sense and began to make strides in influencing others. While in Japan, he befriended BAPE founder NIGO, and the two began to work together and share each other’s visions. While Pharrell popularized BAPE in the States, NIGO was helping him start his first labels in Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream. Both brands have been lauded for showcasing innovative designs and playful aesthetics.
During this period, Pharrell had become synonymous with streetwear and was a pioneer in presenting and popularizing pieces that are still popular today, from popularizing the Bapestas to introducing the idea of a “rap hipster” who wore cardigans. However, he looked further than streetwear and began experimenting with designer fashion, most notably his Maison Margiela look at the 2008 BET Hip-Hop Awards. Pharrell also collaborated with Louis Vuitton for the first time in 2008, designing accessories such as the iconic Millionaire glasses that still see popularity. In 2010, he worked with Moncler to create a stunning vest covered with the work of Japanese artist Keita Suiguira. As Pharrell continued to work with designer brands, his own personal fashion began to change as he continued to break expectations and produce outlandish fashion moments such as his infamous 2014 tan Vivienne Westwood hat which quickly became one of the most talked about moments of the evening. The over-the-top hat, which had long been a staple of the brand, quickly sold out in stores as fans attempted to imitate the look.
Seeing his influence on the youth, several companies reached out to Pharrell in hopes of reaching a new demographic. For the next couple of years, he collaborated with numerous fashion brands, including Adidas and G-Star Raw, creating successful clothing and accessory lines. His work in popularizing the Adidas superstar was unprecedented, resulting in a 29% increase in sales and quickly making it their top-selling shoe. At G-Star, he completely redefined what a fashion label can be by collaborating with Bionic Yarn to create a line of denim that was made from recycled ocean debris in 2014. This set a new standard for ESG initiatives within the fashion industry, encouraging companies to think differently about their products.
Pharrell's most notable fashion collaboration was with Chanel, where he was a model, ambassador, and collaborator with the late creative director Karl Lagerfeld. His involvement with Chanel helped redefine the brand and attract a younger audience, bringing a new level of energy and creativity to the fashion house. Pharrell's ability to work with established brands while still bringing his unique perspective and style to the table makes him an ideal fit for Louis Vuitton. His influence is noteworthy in that, while his vision may change from project to project, his work is undeniably successful, whether it be through sales or reconsidering how clothes are made. This creativity will be crucial to working with Louis Vuitton to redefine their men's line.
Pharrell's creativity is not just limited to fashion design. He is also an accomplished musician, producer, and songwriter, which has allowed him to incorporate music into his fashion work. His ability to mix various artistic mediums has resulted in the creation of unique pieces that reflect his ability to push boundaries and think outside the box. This skill, coupled with his experience, will undoubtedly be an asset in the Louis Vuitton creative director role, where creativity, innovation, and originality are highly valued.
Far before Pharrell ever dreamt of working at the renowned French fashion house, he found himself dreaming of half-pipes and 180s at the skatepark. Skateboard P, as Pharrell was known in the late 90s, was heavily influenced by skateboarding culture and adopted an early style of streetwear and baggy clothing. As he began to build his name as a producer, he developed an affinity for flashy jewelry that is still seen in hip-hop culture to this day. However, it wasn’t until his visits to Japan that he truly began to develop his very own fashion sense and began to make strides in influencing others. While in Japan, he befriended BAPE founder NIGO, and the two began to work together and share each other’s visions. While Pharrell popularized BAPE in the States, NIGO was helping him start his first labels in Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream. Both brands have been lauded for showcasing innovative designs and playful aesthetics.
During this period, Pharrell had become synonymous with streetwear and was a pioneer in presenting and popularizing pieces that are still popular today, from popularizing the Bapestas to introducing the idea of a “rap hipster” who wore cardigans. However, he looked further than streetwear and began experimenting with designer fashion, most notably his Maison Margiela look at the 2008 BET Hip-Hop Awards. Pharrell also collaborated with Louis Vuitton for the first time in 2008, designing accessories such as the iconic Millionaire glasses that still see popularity. In 2010, he worked with Moncler to create a stunning vest covered with the work of Japanese artist Keita Suiguira. As Pharrell continued to work with designer brands, his own personal fashion began to change as he continued to break expectations and produce outlandish fashion moments such as his infamous 2014 tan Vivienne Westwood hat which quickly became one of the most talked about moments of the evening. The over-the-top hat, which had long been a staple of the brand, quickly sold out in stores as fans attempted to imitate the look.
Seeing his influence on the youth, several companies reached out to Pharrell in hopes of reaching a new demographic. For the next couple of years, he collaborated with numerous fashion brands, including Adidas and G-Star Raw, creating successful clothing and accessory lines. His work in popularizing the Adidas superstar was unprecedented, resulting in a 29% increase in sales and quickly making it their top-selling shoe. At G-Star, he completely redefined what a fashion label can be by collaborating with Bionic Yarn to create a line of denim that was made from recycled ocean debris in 2014. This set a new standard for ESG initiatives within the fashion industry, encouraging companies to think differently about their products.
Pharrell's most notable fashion collaboration was with Chanel, where he was a model, ambassador, and collaborator with the late creative director Karl Lagerfeld. His involvement with Chanel helped redefine the brand and attract a younger audience, bringing a new level of energy and creativity to the fashion house. Pharrell's ability to work with established brands while still bringing his unique perspective and style to the table makes him an ideal fit for Louis Vuitton. His influence is noteworthy in that, while his vision may change from project to project, his work is undeniably successful, whether it be through sales or reconsidering how clothes are made. This creativity will be crucial to working with Louis Vuitton to redefine their men's line.
Pharrell's creativity is not just limited to fashion design. He is also an accomplished musician, producer, and songwriter, which has allowed him to incorporate music into his fashion work. His ability to mix various artistic mediums has resulted in the creation of unique pieces that reflect his ability to push boundaries and think outside the box. This skill, coupled with his experience, will undoubtedly be an asset in the Louis Vuitton creative director role, where creativity, innovation, and originality are highly valued.