The BoF Podcast | Pharrell Williams On His Vision for Louis Vuitton

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Background

Pharrell Williams has been a part of the worldwide cultural consciousness for the higher a part of 20 years as a rapper, songwriter and music producer. However earlier this 12 months, when he was named males’s inventive director for Louis Vuitton, his profession took on an entire new trajectory.

This week on The BoF Podcast, Williams joins BoF founder and editor-in-chief Imran Amed to debate his new imaginative and prescient for luxurious at Louis Vuitton as a part of a BoF 500 cowl story, inspecting his journey into the luxurious trade, his imaginative and prescient for Louis Vuitton and the way he is considering moving into the sneakers of his predecessor Virgil Abloh.

“He has large sneakers for one to attempt to fill. However that’s not what I’m right here to do,” Williams advised Amed on the podcast. “I’m not right here to fill my brother’s sneakers. My brother’s sneakers are his sneakers. And the steps that he took are his steps. And I might by no means need to get in the way in which of that.”

Key Insights

Williams is approaching the design course of from the perspective of a buyer. “After I acquired right here, I used to be so excited and I knew all of the issues that I needed to do as a result of I’m the patron,” he says. “I do know what it’s that I’m in search of so I design from the lenses of what it’s that I’m going to wish.”Williams has his eye on increasing the Louis Vuitton model, not simply when it comes to gross sales quantity, but in addition the model’s core values and who it aligns itself with, hinting at forming new partnerships. “Progress is not only in gross sales development, it’s additionally development in perspective,” he says.On the core of Williams’ mission is to make Louis Vuitton menswear centred round individuals, each its prospects and people who work for the model. “The fabric objects that we provide are vital, and these are lovely objects, however they’re the results of one thing extra priceless, which is the people and their concepts that work right here … that’s what you’re shopping for.”For these seeking to discover their very own inventive path , Williams’ recommendation is easy: “Once you see a block, there’s a manner round it…Curiosity goes to be the gasoline that will help you do this,” he explains. “And don’t look again. For what? You may see how far you come later.”

Further Assets