Three collections in, it’s clear that Pharrell is having a love affair with the iconic Louis Vuitton Speedy. The seasoned creative, now in his groove, presented his menswear collection for Louis Vuitton yesterday, and like the ones that came before, it embraced clear thematic elements.
Pharrell is a force in fashion, and his vision for Louis Vuitton is one of community and collaboration.
The overall theme of the Fall 2024 collection is the iconography of American Western dressing, explored through the lens of Pharrell and how his vision relates to the Maison’s core DNA. The origins of workwear are explored, and deeper inspiration comes from the Maison’s commitment to a creative dialogue with other artisans.
The Art of Collaboration
Collaboration and creative exchange are at the heart of the Maison as a whole, but particularly Louis Vuitton Men’s. Ready-to-wear embodies this practice, representing a meeting of the minds; pieces are a creative interpretation of our most familiar wardrobe staples.
Denim is emblazoned with pearl-and-sequin floral embroideries, washed in gunmetal hues, and printed in western florals. This season, classic tailoring is explored through a country lens, showcasing country-western themes like fringe and embroidery.
The collection also sees a collaboration of American work boots in partnership with Timberland. Elevated versions of the storied shoe are presented with the savoir-faire of the Maison’s Italian factories. An extremely limited-edition design in gold LV Monogram with eyelets and pendants will surely delight collectors.
Back to the Bags
Making a splash during his first collection, Pharrell continues to explore the iconic Speedy in new and interesting ways. This season, there are distinct odes to Western themes, like fringe and intricated laser-cut leather. While new forms are also explored: a studded saddle bag, the Samur, the Steamer, and more.
Damoflage is further explored this season alongside a Damier-infused Buffalo Check Canvas and LV Giant Monogram. Other notable bags are a nubuck croc Speedy bag and Steamer bags, which have been hand-painted in silver Monogram crocodile.
View bags from the runway below, images via Louis Vuitton.
If someone asked me to design for a famous French label, but to do exactly the opposite of what one would expect or like, this would be it. As I read somewhere else, Ralph Lauren can have the whole cowboy look as he does it better anyway. This is a mess. I can’t believe it made it to the runway.
How much market research do they do prior to putting out these collections? Or, do people buy simply because they love the LV label? For me, these bags don’t fit into any category because they are western, but from a high fashion designer. Who exactly is their target market because I can’t see any “city slickers” wearing these.
I like the various iterations of the steamer bag. However, as someone who lived in the south for two decades, I don’t see the appeal of the cosplay cowboy ready to wear.
I need to know about that black trunk.
The Speedy that looks like tooled leather is my favorite.
Not a fan.
These are right up my alley 😍
The back alley, I suppose.
Sherry, stay mad and in your lane.
I am sorry you have no sense of humor.
I love the colors, and textures, that Pharell is working onto the men’s Speedy options. As men’s handbag use takes off, I expect to see quite a few of these bags in the wild. I especially like the last Keepall featured: it keeps to LV’s classic color palette while infusing new shapes and textures into what would otherwise be the umpteenth rework of Classic Monogram. Also, that Speedy with pockets is ingenious! I love it as much as I love the Kelly Lakis.
Now then. This is quite off-topic, so my apologies in advance, but I’m wondering: could the blog do an article (or a series) on handbags by STYLE? I’m thinking it could cover:
1) the classic styles of handbags (doctor, duffle, satchel, bucket, hobo, tote, etc)
2) classic designer options for each (i.e., for duffles: LV Speedy, Gucci Boston, Chanel Timeless Duffle, YSL Duffel 6, etc)
3) new and/or contemporary styles for each (i.e., for satchels the Proenza PS12, Polene Numero Un, LV Pochette Metis, etc).
Pharrell is one of the best dressed males we have around – his sense of style and his aesthetic is excellent and he rocked Chanel like no other but this is a hotmess – maybe the LV design team is bad and he has to go along with this junk – who knows?
No disrespect what so ever, but Pharrell is not a designer. The team at LV men’s has been the same (give or take) for the last 8 years, they just follow orders from someone who has no idea of fashion or the legacy of LV for that matter. Putting “Louis Vuitton”, “LV” or the monogram in a gimmicky way on every product doesn’t make you a designer. There is absolutely no depth to this collection.
He has a very solid knowledge of the legacy of LV. He chooses to interpret in a modern way. Its fashion. His ideas may seem gimmicky to you but modernity can rub some up the wrong way.
I don’t see anything particularly modern about this “collection” It’s just the latest LV gimmick run amok. LV is NOT, and has never been a true fashion brand. They should stick to what they know-leather (and plastic canvas) goods. Everything that went down that runway has been done before, and done better.
i see a birkin dupe
That’s a steamer bag and that existed long before the Birkin.
Trotting out 30 year old designs, only changing canvas for leather and new colors, slapping the LV logo , charging close to 10K is disappointing to say the least.Pharrell’s collaboration with Lagerfeld for Chanel was innovative and exciting.Pretty sure that collection was the selling point for LVMH to appoint him as Creative director. Nothing creative to see in the current collection.
And Lagerfeld was still alive and running the show…
Correctamundo!!
There are still so many his first debut collection pieces are available in Japan. My SA told me his first collection not selling well in Japanese market.
Half of the collection is tacky but there are some gems. The yellow and brown bag and the cow print are my favorites.
Mostly who hates his designs are the ones who fall in line or preorder a certain bag/s from that collection. Perfect example is the leather version of Speedy. They’re all soldout. But when those bags hit the runway, they all cringed and bashed the collections.
Not a western fan but Some of the new colors are cool. Also, not sure if the added $$ on an already expensive bag is worth it. Still like my plain and simple LV.
Love the orange suede moc croc keepall.
It is quite Ralph Lauren-y but it’s different, I find LV mens has been so boring and predictable since Virgil. The chestnut brown textured keepall is lovely too.
It’s definitely genuine croc or alligator.
It’s probably sueded croc or alligator. Nancy Gonzalez did this years ago. It wears really well, better than cow suede.
the croco and cow(?) keepall, and some more keepall is really cool, but also love the canvas The Carter bag. love
i can’t even i agree its a mess……… EXCEPT ! LV can finally see they don’t have to invent new bags that just don’t work like cappuccino and other birkin look alikes they have the speedy so for me more speedys just work……. so as always speedy saves the day the show and the brand.
Very unique!! The tooled leather is to die for.
I really like the red and black plaid bags, especially that soft petite malle-looking one. And with silver hardware! I hope they’re canvas, and thus more affordable than his leather bags which were insanely priced.
I predict that Pharrell’s time with LV will be brief.
I’m not a fan of the BRIGHT colors, but I like that he’s doing something different with a western edge, I still love a black epi though