Pharrell Williams has unveiled his highly anticipated debut campaign for Louis Vuitton, stepping into the prestigious role previously held by the late Virgil Abloh, ahead of his first showcase as the men's creative director at Paris Men's Fashion Week. The acclaimed designer shared an image of himself alongside a massive Louis Vuitton campaign billboard featuring global superstar Rihanna, proudly displayed on the side of Paris' Musée d'Orsay, providing a tantalising glimpse into his debut collection. The post, captioned "LOUIS VUITTON MEN Spring-Summer 2024," sparked widespread interest, with Rihanna herself sharing a close-up shot of the billboard with the same caption.
Rihanna can be seen in the photo wearing a leather shirt with a pixelated version of the brand's signature Damier check that was partially left unbuttoned to show off her baby bump. She accessorised the look with a couple of dainty neckpieces and added to the glam quotient with a glossy lip colour, contoured cheeks, shimmery eyeshadow, and a hint of blush while holding a coffee cup. She's also seen with a slew of monogrammed LV bags in red, yellow, and green.
With the billboard causing a stir among fashionistas, Louis Vuitton confirmed to GQ that it is indeed a part of the brand's upcoming men's Spring-Summer 2024 campaign, which will feature the singer.
Check Out How Netizens Reacted:
The collaboration between Rihanna and Pharrell has been well received by netizens, who lauded the designer's choice of a pregnant woman as the model for his debut Louis Vuitton menswear campaign. One commenter on social media praised the decision, writing, "The fact that Pharrell had a pregnant woman icon as the model for his first LV menswear campaign," while another added, "Having a pregnant woman model a men's line is the next level we needed."
The presence of a pregnant woman in the centre of a luxury fashion campaign drew attention and praise. "It's the pregnant woman starring in a men's luxury fashion campaign for me," one user commented, emphasising the unconventional and boundary-pushing nature of this choice.
Netizens also lauded Rihanna's influence and impact as a fashion icon, noting that her participation in the campaign solidifies her industry status. One user wrote, "IT GIRL. With child or without. Breaking barriers and setting the standard. Her status as a fashion icon is solidified FOREVER."
While this is Pharrell's first Louis Vuitton campaign, it is not his first collaboration with Rihanna. In 2017, the duo collaborated on N.E.R.D's comeback single, "Lemon." Furthermore, Rihanna revealed in 2020 that she was working with Pharrell on her highly anticipated ninth album, R9, cementing their professional relationship even further.
Rihanna and Pharrell's collaboration has not only sparked excitement for their creative collaborations, but it has also sparked meaningful discussions about inclusivity and breaking gender norms in the world of high fashion.