From Hong Kong to Paris, Pharrell Williams doesn’t seem getting bored to take us into wonderful places through his collections for Louis Vuitton Men. For the Fall/Winter 2024 season, he’s taking us to the far west through his clothes and, according to a giant billboard mimicking Wim Wenders’ Paris, Texas bright red credits, through Paris, Virginia. Yeehaw!
Drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of Western heritage, and more especially the celebrated figure of the cowboy, which has had a big impact on the Americana universe, the collection seamlessly weaves iconic workwear essentials with exquisite artisanal details. From stetsons and bandanas to workwear adorned with beads and intricate patterns, this collection pays homage to the enduring allure of cowboy style. Collaborations with Native American artists from the Dakota and Lakota nations infuse the collection with authenticity and cultural vibrancy, highlighting the designer’s commitment to inclusivity and cultural representation.
Pharrell’s vision keeps getting better and more cohesive with each collection he presents, where the spirit of exploration meets the pinnacle of craftsmanship and the Maison’s savoir-faire. Some of the stand-out pieces spotted on the runway were the reimagined Western jackets, a bold reinterpretation of the classic plaid pattern with a touch of Parisian flair. Its vibrant red and black hues exude confidence, while its refined tailoring ensures a stylish fit that seamlessly blends Western ruggedness with Parisian elegance.
Also, denim-on-denim ensembles were elevated by a modern checkered pattern, adding a touch of contemporary flair to this time-honoured combination. This versatile look, equally at home in city streets or rustic landscapes, embodies the collection’s spirit of fusion between classic Western heritage and modern fashion sensibilities.
A recent partnership with bootmaker Timberland reimagined classic work boots with a modern twist, blending Louis Vuitton’s refined aesthetic with century-old Italian craftsmanship. The curated accessories, once again, were some of the biggest stars of the show: cowboy hats, bejeweled belts, and the reimagined Millionare sunglasses, now in three new colourways, we true highlights of the collection. However, it was the bags that caught everyone’s eyes: handbags and trunks –from the world-renowned Speedy and Keepall bags to soft trunks– featured rich embroideries, embossed leather, bold prints like pixel, cow, and plaid, and colour combinations like a turquoise-and-white monogram, as well as metallic details. In doing so, Pharrell keeps putting the Maison’s bags at the top of the most desirable objects in luxury nowadays.
Going back to the Creative Director’s aim to infuse his collections with cultural vibrancy, and taking into account that his first venture in the creative realm was through music, we can’t fail to highlight the importance of the soundrack, which featured four original new pieces, all co-created by Pharrell: The Spirit of Saturday Night Live by the Native Voices of Resistance (composed by Lakota ‘Hokie’ Clairmont and Pharrell Williams); Good People by Mumford& Sons x Pharrell Williams; Shotgun Wedding by Pharrell Williams x Jelly Roll; and Doctor by Pharrell Williams x Miley Cyrus.
From its ability to gather all the A-list ‘fans’ in the same show – Bradley Cooper, Playboi Carti, Jackson Wang, Quavo, Carey Mulligan, Andrew Scott, and more –, this collection stands as a testament to Pharrell’s ability to honour his cultural influences, creating a fashion narrative that is both timeless and forward-thinking, taking Louis Vuitton into the future. Travel, a key element to the French Maison’s legacy, serves as the guiding motif, epitomising a harmonious blend of exploration and craftsmanship that defined the F/W 2024 menswear collection.
