Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton is all about unity

Many eyebrows were raised when, following the tragic passing of Virgil Abloh, Louis Vuitton announced Pharrell Williams as their latest creative director. It seems, however, that the mogul has taken the role in his stride, offering collections that have been lauded by the fashion community and fans alike. But if there’s one thing we’ve learnt from Skateboard P’s tenure at LV so far, it’s that he knows how to put on a spectacle — last night’s SS25 show in Paris cemented that.

Louis Vuitton took over the rooftop of La Maison de l’UNESCO, built in 1958 in the name of world peace. This venue, a testament to international unity and cultural diversity, was adorned with lush greenery and international flags, mirroring the global mentality of the collection.

In the diverse crowd, stars such as Burna Boy, Tems, BamBam, Sabrina Carpenter, Victor Wembanyama, Stefon Diggs, NIGO, and Colman Domingo gazed upon Pharrell’s latest presentation, all outfitted in the label’s garments. Oh, and who could forget Central Cee whipping out a Nintendo DS in the front row?

And, of course, this is Pharrell — unsurprisingly, there was some musical magic sprinkled throughout. This year, we were treated to yet another new track from hip hop duo Clipse. Beginning to play around the 40-minute mark of the show, it featured haunting keys, a typically powerful chorus from John Legend, and introspective verses from Pusha T and No Malice.

On the runway, Louis Vuitton’s clothes and accessories carried a travel-worthy charm. Buttery suits were ready for business commutes, while relaxed, shimmering coordinates felt more suited to leisurely pursuits. Aviator sunglasses met duffels, suitcases, and carry-ons rendered in Louis Vuitton’s signature motifs, refreshed for the new season.

Speaking of handbags, Louis Vuitton’s latest carry-ables came in all sorts of shapes and sizes, including crumpled, extra tiny, and even Euro-ready builds. Naturally, the brand also wheeled out its more massive trunks, served up alongside fresh, Carhartt-style workwear.

There were sporting references throughout, too. Though the collection didn’t reveal who Pharrell is supporting in the Euros, there was definitely a few nods to football garbs. Some models wore shirts with “LVFC” written across them, while one had a bag shaped like a football, covered in the famous LV monogram. Another had a jacket referencing motocross. All of the sports references shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, though — LVMH, Louis Vuitton’s parent company, is sponsoring the Olympic Games.

But though he’s excited about the fashion house merging with the sporting world in such a fashion, Williams said the theme went beyond that. “[It is] the celebration of human athletic prowess,” he said. “[We are] just committed [to showing] the world how beautiful we are as a species from the Blackest of the Black to the whitest of the white.” Ultimately, he said, the show was designed to be “about unity and the oneness of what one could look like when you just invite everybody in as a whole. We are appreciative of this opportunity and this platform that is Louis Vuitton.”