Thoughts on Pharrell Williams As the New Creative Director at Louis Vuitton Menswear

Hello to my 304 subscribers! Pharell Williams is now the new Creative Director of Menswear at Louis Vuitton after months of speculation about who would take the place of the late King Virgil Abloh. Some of the names considered for the role included Martine Rose, Grace Wales Bonner, Telfar Clemens, and KidSuper's Colm Dillane.
No shade because Pharell is a pioneer in regards to the culture's understanding of hip-hop style and beyond but ....another celebrity?
The funniest comment I read on this was "Did they run out of designers at the London College of Fashion ? CSM ? FIT ?"
When can we expect new faces, new dreams, and new perspectives? This industry recycles and moves power around at the table without letting new names in to have a seat if they're not relevant enough.
Pharell is still a legend though... two facts can exist at once.

[@ItsTchadTV]

I initially didn’t think much about this position being given to Pharrell but then I went back and started looking at his past collaborations I was reminded of how his ideas are sometimes too layered and pulling from different directions to work in tandem for a couple pieces, let alone an entire collection. I completely respect Pharrell’s creative ability to be a visionary when it comes to music, and culture trajectory but I think of creating clothing as more than just ideas. Like you have to understand why you’re translating certain ideas into aesthetics and how exactly to do that in a way that still looks good. Based on what he’s produced so far, I don’t see that he does that well. You can have all the great ideas in the world but if the clothes don’t look good and it’s your final decision what they look like, you have not produced a good collection. But that’s just my opinion. He may prove everyone (including me) wrong 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@bonesascollateral]

side note to this : I tried human race when it first launched, but the product wasn’t for me. Then I noticed this skincare brand also doing merch and Adidas collaborations that are honestly not great. He has so many projects going on but we’ll see if it’s possible for one man to do it all !! 🖤

[@dijonstylez]

i’m one of the biggest fans of P and was excited about the news. (still is)
but i love your take on this. definitely didn’t think about it from this standpoint.
earned a subscriber.

[@bonesascollateral]

Thank you so much ! I appreciate that and your point of view

[@gasparm.2711]

LV as a fashion house hires according to their vision. Which is:
"The luxury group now says it sells “desire” and “culture” more than it sells watches or jewellery. Flagship brand Louis Vuitton especially is said to be a cultural brand"
Pharrell fits this vision and narrative. I find it a bit sad, that we are complaining about the choice saying maybe a smaller designer could have gotten it. If 20 years ago you would have told me that a black skater guy from Virginia, who didn't attend a top design university, could take such a position in the biggest fashion house on the planet, I wouldn't have believed you. Sometimes we don't know how good we have it until we don't.
His CV isn't that bad either...
He is one of the main precursors of high end street-wear. Co-founded Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream. In 2004, collaborated with Louis Vuitton and Nigo under Marc Jacobs, for a sunglass collection under the name Millionaire. Virgil Abloh redesigned the glasses during his time in LV. Collabed with LV again in 2008, doing jewelry. First male to ever appear in a handbag campaign for Chanel. Spearheaded Chanel's first sneaker collab. Created the Chanel capsule collection in collaboration (and friendship) with Karl Lagerfeld. Partnered with Adidas for over a decade. Redesigned the NMD with Adidas. Created a collection for Uniqlo together with Nigo. Co-owner of G-star. Collab with Human Made. Not terrible for a "celebrity".

[@bonesascollateral]

Even with his CV I still would’ve preferred a new perspective that we haven’t already seen. I also think your comment on the black skater guy from Virginia perfectly encompasses why new designers are important. I also understand that it fits LVs current narrative and there’s no desperation to deviate from that narrative which I mentioned in the video.
I’m not sure why it’s sad to think about new designers. We can desire major opportunities opening up for new designers while also being conscious of Pharrell’s impact. Two things can be true!

[@gasparm.2711]

@@bonesascollateral Maybe I wasn't clear. I do not think it's sad to think about new designers, I think it's sad I haven't heard many people celebrate the fact that someone with Pharrell's background can be at the top of a fashion house. I feel we take it for granted at this point.

[@bonesascollateral]

Got it. I see your point. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be eating all of my words when I see his first collection and I’m going to love it because historically I do love Pharrell’s work. I wanted to give another position outside of “Yes ! He’s Perfect! Thank you LVMH Gods!!”
There’s a lot of pressure coming after Virgil.

[@Busymetal]

Overall optimistic about this decision, besides initially meeting it with scepticism. It wasn’t until I started reading and thinking that this appointment might be part of a vision for the brand that goes beyond just clothes, that it started to make sense. This year's Moncler Genius show really further cemented this idea of culture over cloth, so it will be very interesting to see how it all unfolds. Awesome video! Keep at it Jané!

[@bonesascollateral]

Thank you for watching Amir ! Thats a W take. I appreciate that perspective. 🖤

[@nawfsidereviews6029]

Keep at it. 300 will be 300k.

[@bonesascollateral]

Thank you 😭 saving this for the future* 🖤

[@LRMbVEVO]

I second that !! ❤❤❤

[@bonesascollateral]

I appreciate that !!! 🖤🖤

[@Zellymackintosh]

Its the fashion world lol
It’s literally all about “skipping lines”
Its a classist culture

[@bonesascollateral]

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