LOUIS VUITTON
Who is
Pharrell Williams?
Pharrell Williams went from teenage prodigy to 13-time Grammy winner while carving out a path as one of the most original and versatile figures in the music industry. He has been a part of the famous production duo, The Neptunes, and co-founded and sand lead vocals for the alt-rock/hip-hop band, N.E.R.D.
Williams also produced songs for some of the biggest music stars, including Nelly, Jay-Z, Britney Spears, Busta Rhymes, No Doubt, and Usher. He's written scores and songs for movies such as the animated Despicable Me and its sequels. His song, "Happy," written for Despicable Me 2, was a top Billboard Hot 100 chart hit for 10 week straight and was nominated for an Academy Award for best original song.
In 2014, Time Magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people.
Jobs in Hollywood
SINGER
Pharrell has been singing for over 24 years. He has won an ASCAP Award, 4 BET Awards, 13 Grammys, IHeartRadio Innovator Award, 3 Image Awards, a Latin Grammy Award, a People's Choice Award, 2 Soul Train Awards & more for his music.
His #1 hits including Blurred Lines, Happy, Drop It Like It's Hot, Get Lucky, and Money Maker.
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PRODUCER
In 2003 alone, Pharrell produced 43% of all songs on the radio. 3 of his Grammys were awarded for 'Producer of the Year.'
Songs Pharrell has produced include Britney Spears' 'I'm a Slave 4 U,' Nelly's 'Hot in Here,' Gwen Stefani's 'Hollaback Girl,' Justin Timberlake's 'Rock Your Body,' Ed Sheeran's 'Sing,' and Frank Ocean's 'Pink + White.'
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DESIGNER
Other than being a singer and producer, Pharrell has designed a number of things. In 2008, he collaborated on a statue, 'Simple Things,' that sold for $2 million. In 2012, he created the label, 'I am OTHER,' and wrote a book. In 2014, he redesigned a lamp and released a fragrance called 'G I R L.' Those are only a few of his many design ventures in his life.
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OTHER
Pharrell's other jobs he has had include being a judge on the singing competition show, 'The Voice,' for 4 seasons.
Pharrell has also been credited with acting and voice acting in 'Sing 2,' 'Black is King,' the animated movie 'The Grinch,' 'Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping,' 'Pitch Perfect 2,' 'The Simpsons,' and 'Entourage.'
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Pharrell's future with
Louis Vuitton
While Pharrell Williams is not traditionally recognized as a fashion designer, he has collaborated with Louis Vuitton in the past for a collection of jewelry and sunglasses. As a style icon and long-time Chanel ambassador, Williams' expertise extends beyond just the fashion industry. He co-founded Billionaire Boys Club with designer Nigo, and has even dabbled in design by unveiling his own pieces at Emmanuel Perrotin in Paris in 2009. Williams' cultural icon status makes him an ideal collaborator for Louis Vuitton's efforts to position itself as a cultural platform, of which products are just one expression.
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Williams' influence extends beyond the music industry, as he has become a prominent figure in pop culture. He has dabbled in design, showcasing his works at a Parisian gallery in 2009. Williams' reputation as a "universal cultural icon" was a significant factor in his appointment as the creative director for Louis Vuitton Men's line. His personal celebrity status and icon status position him as a collaborator that luxury brands can partner with to enhance their cultural relevance and drive growth.
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The appointment of Pharrell Williams underscores the importance of the artistic director's role in a luxury brand beyond designing fashion collections. As such, his arrival strengthens the brand's position as a cultural platform where desirability goes beyond mere collections. Williams' first collection for Louis Vuitton Men is expected to be unveiled in June 2023, and it is sure to be exciting, reflecting the evolution of the luxury industry and its increasing reliance on cultural relevance for growth.