Pharrell Williams, genius in all fields, from music to fashion.
Producer, singer, musician, businessman, Pharrell Williams, named artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s men’s collections on Tuesday, is a genius in all fields, capable of producing worldwide hits and signing notable collaborations with major fashion houses.
Born on April 5, 1973 in the coastal city of Virginia Beach, in the eastern United States, Williams rose to fame in the 1990s when he created the producing duo The Neptunes with his childhood friend Chad Hugo.
They were soon discovered by the architect of the New Jack Swing, Teddy Riley, and quickly collaborated with prominent hip-hop and R&B artists, including singer Kelis.
accomplished musicians, the two young producers mix influences without preconceived ideas. “It’s R&B crossed with techno, new wave and hip-hop,” Teddy Riley told The New York Times.
the years 2000mThey arced their launch into orbit among the most demanded producers in the industry.
They are behind rapper Nelly’s “Hot in Here”, number one in sales in the United States, but they also write “I’m a Slave 4 U”, by Britney Spears. His list of collaborations includes Gwen Stefani, Kelis, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, and Snoop Dogg.
In 2001, Williams went to the other side of the recording console to release his first record, under the name NERD, an unclassifiable identity group formed with Chad Hugo.
Two years later, the youthful-faced 30-year-old became a superstar in his own right with the single “Frontin’,” which he performed with fellow American rapper Jay-Z.
In the following years he multiplied the projects: he worked with Shakira and Maroon 5, among others. And in 2013, she collaborated with the French group Daft Punk and sang the worldwide hit “Get Lucky”, before releasing, a few months later, the song “Happy”, a pop bomb that had become a classic.
– A collection for Chanel –
In his musical career, Pharrell, whom the general public already calls by his first name, he won 13 Grammys, the great prizes of the American music industry.
Art lover, collector, Pharrell Williams has also stood out on the red carpet for her keen sense of fashion.
Thus, he was one of the first to break the dress codes for gala nights. His Bermuda shorts paired with a jacket and dress shoes caused a sensation, as did his top hat, created by designer Vivienne Westwood.
In 2003, Pharrell launched his own ready-to-wear brand, Billionaire Boys Club, very inspired by the rise of streetwear.
“I have the same philosophy to dress as when I make music,” that is, a “universalist” spirit, open to all currents, without prejudice, he said in an interview with American public radio NPR.
The producer and businessman also stood out for his collaborations with Adidas, Louis Vuitton, Colette and even Chanel, for which he produced a collection in 2019.
This father of four children, married in 2013 and close to turning 50, knows how to capture the spirit of the times and take advantage of trends, both musical and fashion.
His creative force is sure to be a boon for Louis Vuitton: Pharrell’s first collection will hit the runways next June during Men’s Fashion Week, the brand said.
