Paris Men’s Fashion Week is officially underway, and leave it to Louis Vuitton, under the creative direction of Pharrell Williams, to open the season with a masterclass in elegance, imagination, and cultural flair. From the first tailored silhouette to the final musical note, the show was both a visual and emotional experience—fusing fashion with music, storytelling, and a very special moment involving none other than Beyoncé.
Pharrell, now firmly settled in his role as Men’s Creative Director at the storied French house, presented a collection that felt rooted and refined, yet still playful. Dubbed “brown is the new indigo,” the show leaned heavily into earthy tones—deep chocolate coats, soft camel suiting, and accessories that radiated understated luxury. The brown palette wasn’t just aesthetic—it felt like a deliberate grounding of the collection, a counterbalance to the glitz typically associated with celebrity-led labels.
The collection’s silhouette was equally thoughtful. There was structure, yes, but it wasn’t rigid. Flowy trenches, relaxed-fit tailoring, and streetwear-leaning staples like puffer jackets and collarless shirts gave the runway a sense of ease. Stripes ran like quiet punctuation throughout—appearing in unexpected places like suiting and layered shirts. The palm trees and playful animal motifs, which adorned some of the outerwear and accessories, added a surreal twist, hinting at a whimsical narrative simmering beneath the surface.
And speaking of narratives, the set at Place Georges Pompidou was transformed into a metaphorical playground, echoing the themes of the board game Snakes and Ladders—a nod to architect Bijoy Jain, one of the show’s muses. Jain’s influence was also felt in the campaign teasers leading up to the runway, including a striking image of him holding Vuitton’s new Speedy P9 bag, a statement piece with just the right blend of art and function.
But Pharrell didn’t stop at fashion. As models made their final walk, a brand-new track produced by the designer himself debuted: “Get Right,” a collaborative piece with Doechii and Tyler, The Creator. It was a sonic exclamation point to a collection that never lost its rhythm. The song, like the show, was smooth, stylish, and unmistakably Pharrell.
And then came the showstopper: as Pharrell took his final bow, he personally handed a handbag—fresh off the runway—to Beyoncé, who sat front row. In that quiet, unscripted gesture, the message was clear: in Pharrell’s Vuitton universe, icons aren’t just dressed, they’re honored.
With this dazzling opener, Louis Vuitton didn’t just present clothes—it set the tone for an entire week. If the energy of Pharrell’s show is any indication, Paris Men’s Fashion Week 2025 is going to be one for the books.
