For Pharrell Williams, “Working for Louis Vuitton is a Dream Come True”

“I am happy and honored to be here in Hong Kong to present my second men's collection for Louis Vuitton. This city has incredible energy and after being held back by the pandemic for three and a half years, it is now ready to be reborn again stronger".

A few hours before the start of the fashion show-event dedicated to the Men's Pre-Fall 2024 collection, the designer-singer-producer tells L'OFFICIEL about his project for the flagship brand of the LVMH group. He expressed that he was happy and honoured by the moment he was experiencing, in terms of creative expression and personal feeling. He wore a gray Kenzo Paris sweatshirt ("I wear it to support my great friend and brother Nigo," he explained) and nonchalantly donned his Millionaire Speedy bag in yellow crocodile, which became cult as soon as it was unveiled in the collection and presented in last July during men's fashion week in Paris. "I feel lucky for everything I have the opportunity to do in this house. It's not a job, it's a dream that comes true every day."

L'OFFICIEL: What is the spirit of this collection?

PHARRELL WILLIAMS: I started with the idea of ​​a Hong Kong businessman on vacation in Hawaii. While on vacation, he has to rush to a meeting. He changes, chooses a formal wardrobe. Then he returns to his relaxation time. Throughout the collection, I worked on certain archetypes, such as the sailor. There is also a big focus on the dandy aesthetic but above all all the visual codes that accompany me and my little obsessions, like pearls for example.

LO: Your debut was on the Pont Neuf in Paris with the first parade and now you are returning with this parade in Hong Kong on the Avenue of the Stars on the Victoria quays. How do you feel about this journey?

PW: Paris was the starting point of a bigger journey. I continue to live a dream. A dream that comes true every time I look at a snippet of a look, every time I work on an advertising campaign, every time I collaborate with people I love, like Rihanna or LeBron James. These are dreams that come true. I think I'm very lucky. And then the large Louis Vuitton platform offered me an international internship to address the whole world. It is an honor for me to be here and to be able to convey this message to Asia through the city of Hong Kong.

LO: Why did you choose Hong Kong for this fashion show?

PW: Because this metropolis was quarantined for three and a half years because of the pandemic, and now it is ready to live again. The cultural strength and affection of the locals has been incredible. And all the support we have received from the government has also been unique. People and institutions are working hard to make Hong Kong a global player again.

LO: What is your personal memory of Hong Kong?

PW: I have performed here many times as a singer and this city has a unique and incredible energy. The music scene, the art scene, the creative fashion scene and even the dining experience make it truly unique. It is a city in perpetual transformation where you can breathe life. We can't stop it.

LO: You are a trained musician, but you have always collaborated a lot with fashion. Which of these two worlds is more difficult?

PW: Neither is difficult, I just see the opportunities, the gift and the privilege that I have to be able to engage in two worlds where creativity is at the center. Let's say it's an easy job for me, but above all it's a dream. And being able to turn a dream into reality is the most beautiful job in the world.

LO: How are you feeling today?

PW: Given the moment I'm living, I feel privileged, I feel lucky every day of my life.

LO: The Millionaire Speedy bag, which you launched during your first fashion show and which you wear, has become cult all over the world. How did you get there, how did you create it?

PW: When I arrived at Louis Vuitton, I understood that we had to shake up the house, project it into the future. And this bag is the very essence of this concept. We worked on certain cornerstones of the house: the Speedy bag, the monogram, the colour. But we tried to deconstruct certain stereotypes. We kept the shape, but we experimented with a softer, more delicate material. The bag would thus almost become a pet, a little puppy that you would carry with you. Then we added the gold chain and experimented with unusual colours like this yellow. In reality, the concept was just one thing: taking this icon to the next level.

LO: Are you working on any other iconic pieces like this?

PW: Absolutely... There will be many other bags of the same level. And they will be amazing.