Pharrell Williams

We explore the life and style of one of music and fashion’s most enduring icons — Pharrell Williams

Few artists have blurred the lines between music, fashion, and culture as seamlessly as Pharrell Williams. From his early days producing era-defining hits with The Neptunes and N.E.R.D. to his current role as men’s creative director at Louis Vuitton, Pharrell has remained a shape-shifting (and age-defying) force whose style evolution is as celebrated as his sound. Ever experimental, he’s built a reputation for taking risks that consistently set the tone for the industry at large.

Pharrell’s sartorial journey took root in the early 2000s, when oversized skatewear, colourful trucker hats, and bold graphic tees dominated his look. At a time when hip-hop style was largely driven by maximalist bravado, Pharrell infused a playful individuality that felt distinctly his own. His collaborations with Japanese labels like A Bathing Ape and Human Made introduced a generation to streetwear’s cross-cultural appeal, cementing his position as a bridge between luxury and the underground.

As his career progressed, so too did his wardrobe. By the 2010s, Pharrell became known for mixing tailored elegance with eccentric flourishes: tuxedos worn with shorts, wide-brimmed hats that spawned internet memes, and gender-fluid silhouettes that pushed boundaries on the red carpet. He rejected categorisation, leaning into a style vocabulary where pearls, Chanel cardigans, and custom sneakers could coexist without irony.

This refusal to play by fashion’s rules made Pharrell one of its most compelling figures. Long before ‘genderless’ dressing became a movement, he embodied it instinctively. His looks weren’t about provocation but about possibility — an openness that mirrored his creative philosophy. Oversized outerwear, playful jewellery, bold prints, and futuristic eyewear became part of a personal lexicon that remains instantly recognisable and distinctly Pharrell.

Today, in his Vuitton era, Pharrell’s style is elevated yet unmistakably his. He pairs sharp tailoring with his signature ease, infusing luxury with a sense of play. Whether debuting vibrant leather suits on the runway or walking out in reimagined cowboy boots and pearls, he brings the same curiosity and confidence that have defined his multi-decade career.

Now in his early 50s, Pharrell embodies a kind of ageless authority, one that doesn’t dictate trends but reframes them. His style remains fluid, fearless, and rooted in joy. In a world where image is often engineered, Pharrell’s aesthetic feels less like a strategy and more like a lifelong conversation between music, culture, and self-expression.

Coveted

How to integrate primary colours into your wardrobe
Van Cleef & Arpels’ dazzling new watches look good enough to eat
If you’re heading to New Zealand Fashion Week, consult our guide on where to eat, drink, stay, and play