(Feb. 14) — Today, on Valentine’s Day, nonetheless, it was announced that Pharrell is the awaited successor of the late Virgil Abloh. For some, this is news that makes them feel like the legacy that Abloh left is going to continue seamlessly, while others feel that having a non-designer rather than an in-house or emerging young designer, or even the likes of Martine Rose, Bianca Saunders, or Grace Wales Bonner would have been a better choice. Men have been top picks for these roles when there are plenty of Black women who are just as capable and, in this case, maybe even more equipped to fill.
While Black fashion Twitter is divided on the decision, Pharrell is confirmed as the Creative Director. First reported by WSJ, the official Louis Vuitton IG page just confirmed the news. The search is over, and it is not a rumor. The “Happy” musician has had his hand in the fashion industry longer than we think, though, while he’s influenced streetwear culture with his own personal style to his own brand Billionaire Boys Club.
His first collection is set to show in June for Paris Men’s Fashion Week. As we know, KidSuper was a guest designer with the French fashion house, so the continuation of that must be over even though something of that nature was exciting to most of fashion’s elite. As the division continues and brunch discourse arises in between fashion shows, Pharrell’s awaited debut will be under countdown. There’s no telling whether this collection will be as seamless as some think, but we’ll have to wait and see.