At first sight, Pharrell’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection for Louis Vuitton Men might look a little bit too simple. Yes, there are beautiful details like the bows as collars in jackets and coats, a great play of textures, and cohesive silhouettes. But that’s because there’s more than meets the eye. Working closely with the Louis Vuitton Studio Homme, the Creative Director has developed a number of innovative “Timeless Textiles,” as they’ve named them, that transform silk, chambray, and houndstooth as we’ve known them and bring them into the future.
But before going into detail, let’s take a broader look at the collection as a whole. There is one word that stands out, and that is timeless. If fashion week has too commonly become a place for gimmicks and attention-grabbing strategies, Pharrell has decided to shy away from that and focus on clothes that speak for themselves — instead of shout. The palette is muted, elegant, and extremely wearable (shades of browns, greys, blacks, or khakis, with pops of colour in red and blue), but they also have a playful side when it comes to prints (stripes, checks, herringbones). The silhouettes are comfortable and relaxed, with a few pieces being more forward-thinking, like a pair of culotte pants. And if you dissect the looks piece by piece, you’ll find staples that will work for decades: two-piece suits, parkas, leather jackets, tailored pants, double-breasted coats… You get the feeling.
So, for an audience who’s used to seeing a bolder approach, what does Pharrell have to offer? First, a pillar on which to stand. The F/W collection is one that will stand the test of time. And second, a sense of innovation when it comes to the fabrics. As we hinted in the beginning, the Louis Vuitton Studio Homme has crafted this collection from innovative materials. For example, technical tailoring textiles are created “in the image of heritage gentleman’s cloths but woven technical yarns that turn reflective under light.” Also, thermo-adaptive textiles are employed “in silk or chambray shell jackets constructed with innovative seaming, pattern-cutting and membranes that make them waterproof or water-repellent.” And to finish, technical aluminium textiles “are classic menswear fabrics – from those of shirting to outerwear – crinkled and bonded with aluminium enabling the garments to sculpt according to the movement of the body.” So, in addition to having a well-constructed piece of clothing, it’s also made from materials that will keep it timeless no matter the weather or activity you put it through.
This sense of futurism speaks about the pessimism of today’s world. The future is uncertain, and creativity reflects that. For Pharrell, it was important to create clothes that ground us, that make us feel secure and confident, and that don’t feel too risqué. We don’t know what the future may hold, but at least we know that the staples in our wardrobe will be durable, fashionable, and practical in the upcoming years.
