American record producer, rapper, singer, songwriter, and creative director of Louis Vuitton‘s menswear Pharrell Williams takes the cover story of GQ Magazine‘s September 2023 edition lensed by fashion photographer Fanny Latour-Lambert. In charge of styling was Mobolaji Dawodu, with set design from Jean-Hugues de Châtillon, and production by Louis2 Paris. Grooming is work of beauty artist Johnny Castellanos. For the cover Pharrell is wearing jacket, pants, and glasses, from Louis Vuitton Men’s, mock neck by Givenchy, shoes by Loewe, and hat by Binata Millinery. During the interview by the magazine’s style editor Noah Johnson, Pharrell discussed topics such as Louis Vuitton, Virgil Abloh, upcoming plans, and more.
…On first being offered the LV opportunity: “I never thought that it would be me”
Pharrell confesses that when the opportunity for the Louis Vuitton position was initially brought up, it appeared to be quite unexpected. He recollects, “There wasn’t a formal interview or anything. It was more like, ‘Would you be willing to take on this position? Will you accept this appointment?’ I’m gazing at the water, and I’m just taken aback.“
Pharrell had been engaged in discussions with individuals at LVMH regarding potential successors to Virgil Abloh, providing names and sharing his viewpoints. However, he was unaware that he himself was under consideration. He had anticipated that the choice would be Nigo, his long-standing friend and collaborator, who presently leads the LVMH brand Kenzo. “I’ve been advocating for him for quite some time. And whenever Alexandre and I discussed LV, we would explore various candidates. I’ve consistently remained in the background, providing guidance. The thought of it being me never crossed my mind.“
Louis Vuitton CEO, Pietro Beccari, on appointing Pharrell
“After the untimely departure of Virgil Abloh, I don’t think I could have chosen a traditionally trained designer, I needed someone who was again connected to the arts, who could touch the hearts of people through music and fashion, but also collaborations. He has 13 Grammys and even Oscar nominations. One could say he has a midas touch. So, as a creative director, while it’s an experiment, I think it will be a successful one.”
Photography © Fanny Latour-Lambert for GQ Magazine
…On Virgil Abloh’s impact: “It’s like we’re collaborating in spirit”
“I always knew Virgil was special. It’s like we’re collaborating in spirit. I’ll always pay homage to him.”
…On the future of Louis Vuitton
“The house has aspirations to grow exponentially, but that growth is not just numbers. Growth and taste, growth and setting the bar, growth and exceeding standards. The money follows that. We’re not going to just do things just to make money, or else we’ll just keep making the same belts and sh-t. That’s not what I was brought here to do. I was brought here to shake the tree. That’s how you get the sweetest apples.”
Rapper Pusha T on Pharrell’s career and their “hometown pride”
“When I look at Pharrell and I look at what he does and what he’s done throughout his career, it has all been centered around hometown pride. We were dreamers. We were explorers. And it just shows that regardless of where you’re from, if you keep dreaming and keep being passionate about your craft, it’ll pay off.“
Read more at GQ Magazine’s official site – gq.com / GQ’s September 2023 Hype issue, on newsstands August 29.
Photography © Fanny Latour-Lambert for GQ Magazine
