Five days ago, Pharrell Williams — the musician-turned-designer appointed as Virgil Abloh’s successor to the Louis Vuitton kingdom — gave us a taste of his vision at the helm of the maison’s menswear with a giant billboard of a pregnant Rihanna toting the luxuriate’s primary-colored luggage through the streets of Paris.
Now, on the Pont Neuf, the most-anticipated menswear show of the Spring/Summer 2024 season revealed Pharrell’s creative direction in full. One that continues Alboh’s couturier-meets-streetwear codes, introduces a Y2K influenced “Damouflage” variation of the maison’s signature Damier check motif, and above all else, is rooted in community.
Of course, as with any of Pharrell’s creative endeavors within his illustrious career spanning music, fashion and beauty, this community includes the most illustrious members of the beau monde.
Naturally, this guaranteed the front row of his debut menswear show to be peppered with Pharrell’s inimitable “phriends,” with everyone including recently appointed Louis Vuitton girl, Zendaya, Pharrell’s first campaign star, Rihanna, and even Beyoncé descending on Paris for this momentous occasion in fashion history.
His closet confidants awash in the Pharrell-designed pixilated print, a new season silhouette that saturated the first half of his freshman collection.
For Rihanna and A$AP Rocky, this hotly anticipated evening was merely date night for the pair, with the musicians sporting similar denim ensembles. Rihanna opted for a graphic jumpsuit, which she wore open to expose her pregnant belly and diamond-framed décolletage. A$AP Rocky also followed suit with a Parisian take on the Canadian tuxedo in “LV” embroidered cargo pants and a matching denim jacket.
The style savants completed their looks in matching embroidered beanies. We wonder if RZA and the new baby will be getting a pint-sized variation from Uncle Pharrell after the show.
Indeed, it seemed as if the invite must have stipulated a compulsory “no children” policy, with Beyoncé and JAY-Z taking a break from Blue Ivy’s Renaissance world tour to attend the show.
As an homage to her “Queen Bey” nickname and Lemonade album, Beyoncé was the consummate embodiment of her “Cozy” lyrics, “yellow diamonds, limoncello glisterin’,” in a gilded jacquard silk set and matching robe.
Elsewhere across the front row, Zendaya shined in a textured oversized bowling shirt and matching pair of bootcut trousers, both delicately embroidered with muted neutral tones and sapphire sequins to unveil a surrealist expression of the Parisian landscape. A look that cemented Zendaya as a well-seasoned Vuitton veteran and honored the maison’s rich wandering spirit and travel-oriented heritage.
Also interspersed along the front row was Kim Kardashian in her signature high-fashion activewear, except this time in a camouflage colorway, Tyler The Creator carrying his signature travel tote, Jaden Smith, Megan Thee Stallion and Jared Leto.
Pusha-T even rapped during the show, emulating Kendrick Lamar’s front-row rap from Louis Vuitton’s SS23 runway show. Contemporary Japanese artist Takashi Murakami also attended, although he appeared sans his iconic monogram multicolor pochette from the SS03 collection.
This show truly rivaled the Met Gala as fashion’s night of nights. Below, the best celebrity looks from Louis Vuitton’s SS24 Menswear show.
Watch the Louis Vuitton SS24 Menswear show here and below:
