Louis Vuitton is in talks to hire Pharrell Williams to become its new men’s artistic director, opening a new chapter for the brand following the death of star designer Virgil Abloh in November 2021, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The appointment would put an end to months of speculation about who would take one of fashion’s top jobs. The choice of Williams — himself a luxury streetwear entrepreneur, who co-founded Billionaire Boys Club with Nigo in the early naughts — suggests that Vuitton believes star power and a streetwear-inflected aesthetic will continue to propel its men’s business in the post-Abloh era.
Louis Vuitton did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Abloh was the first Black designer to take the creative reins at Vuitton. His fluency in community-building and collections that married street culture with high fashion helped broaden the brand’s appeal with a younger, more diverse customer base, creating a halo over the Louis Vuitton mark that could pay dividends for years to come.
Last year, sales at parent LVMH hit a record €79.2 billion, up 23 percent year on year, while profits reached €17 billion. The group does not break out performance for individual brands, but noted Louis Vuitton “had an excellent year,” with “its strong ties with art and culture” contributing to the success.
Stay tuned to BoF for updates on this developing story.
LVMH is part of a group of investors who, together, hold a minority interest in The Business of Fashion. All investors have signed shareholder’s documentation guaranteeing BoF’s complete editorial independence.
Credit: Source link
