In the lead up to Pharrell's third show at the House of Louis Vuitton, we've been wondering exactly what the musician-turned-creative-director has up his monogrammed sleeve. Spectacle has been central to his prior shows at the Maison (we all remember the Jay-Z performance and choral chants of 'JOY!' from his debut), and we were not disappointed when it came to their Spring Summer 2025 (SS25) show in Paris on Tuesday.
Hosted at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, the show seemed centred on global citizenry – one that "celebrates the human of the earth," said Pharrell in his show notes. But there were other tendrils of inspiration, Pharrell's @skateboard Instagram account hinting at inspiration from a cult French film, adding to the intrigue.
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The collection ...
The very essence of Louis Vuitton feels peripatetic, given its roots in the business of luggage – and with a global, unifying spirit at its core, it was befitting that on the runway, travel-inspired designs reigned supreme – satellite-image world maps on bomber jackets, aeroplane brooches pinned on baseball caps, aviation-inspired crests on shirt pockets and hats, tracksuits (the official uniform of the airport IMO), and of course plenty of monogrammed luggage – in this case, being wheeled down the aisle of the runway on platters.
Pharrell's Instagram, @skateboard, which offers glimpses behind the scenes, even teased Louis Vuitton AirTags (which would be sent out as a part of the invite for show attendees) alongside a photo of himself in a denim jacket emblazoned with "Le monde est à vous"—"The world is yours." This phrase, central to the collection, references a pivotal scene in the 1995 French film La Haine. The scene features a billboard that’s graffiti-altered from “Le monde est à vous” to “Le monde est à nous” (the world is ours).
The creative collective Air Afrique, named after a now-defuct West African airline, also collaborated on the show, adding layers of cultural resonance. Art critic Simon Njami, featured in the prelude video, speaks to children about Aimé Césaire, a key figure in the Négritude movement, echoing “Le monde est à vous.”
Pharrell’s posts also feature Air Afrique’s tartan prints on LV bags, tying the collection to a global, unifying spirit.
The location ...
The Louis Vuitton SS25 show took place at La Maison de l'UNESCO in Paris, a setting adorned with lush greenery and international flags, a fitting stage for a show about globalised fashion. Constructed in 1958, the building was erected with the purpose of using culture to unite humanity in world peace.
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The guests ...
Friends of the Maison Central Cee, Sabrina Carpenter, Burna Boy, Tems, BamBam, Victor Wembanyama, Stefon Diggs, NIGO, and Dolman Domingo made up part of the Louis Vuitton SS25 show's FROW, each outfitted in the label's wears, of course.
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