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Music starts. Your ears instantly recognize that this isn’t just pre recorded sound. No, it’s a live orchestra playing at this very moment. The lights come on. A circle? A loop? And then, a model walks past. A theatral atmosphere with an entrance reminiscent of the opening of an opera. Are we about to witness a performance of The Magic Flute? No, but Pharrell Williams, in collaboration with Nigo, is proud to present his latest collection.

Welcome to Louis Vuitton Men’s Fall-Winter 2025.

This January 21st 2025 in Paris, LV returned with a new men’s collection that left everyone in agreement. In this article, let’s admire this performance through different categories.

First things first, Who’s Nigo ? 

As you may know, the artist (his list of qualifications is so long that I’ll stop at just “artist”) Pharrell Williams has been the official Artistic Director for Louis Vuitton Men since February 2023. Even before that, Pharrell was already recognized for his impeccable sense of style. His appointment as LV Men’s Artistic Director marked a fresh start for the maison following Virgil Abloh’s sudden passing.

So, who is Nigo? Nigo is a Japanese fashion designer and the current Artistic Director of Maison Kenzo. He is also the founder of the Japanese brand BAPE (A Bathing Ape) specialized in luxury streetwear. In the past, he collaborated with Louis Vuitton, notably working with Virgil Abloh on the 2020 capsule collection “LV2.” More specifically, Nigo was part of the “LVMH Prize”* jury in June 2022 for the “Young Fashion Designer” category. The designer is well known for his workwear pieces when working with LV.

A Symphony of Style : The Stage and Soundtrack

What a setting! The show took place at the Cour Carrée du Louvre, where the collection was unveiled on a circular runway. At the center, a live orchestra played real instruments in real time. Above them, the runway was initially lined with shelves displaying Louis Vuitton, Pharell and Nigo’s most iconic pieces for the brand. While they weren’t visible during the show, I encourage you to check out additional videos on Louis Vuitton’s YouTube channel. A clever way for the maison to create its own temporary museum. The models made their way around the shelves in a circular trajectory which can remind us of the circle of time, as we often say, “fashion is an endless reinvention”. 

Throughout the show, you could hear a variety of music from different genres, with the rhythm accelerating as the show progressed. After all, let’s not forget that Pharrell Williams is not only a fashion designer but also a singer and producer. He used this LV show to present both his latest work in fashion and his work as a music producer (smart move). Following the orchestra’s performance, the soundtrack featured Pharrell’s collaboration with the K-pop group Seventeen on Bad Influence, Timeless for The Weeknd and Playboi Carti, and finally, LV Bag for Don Toliver and LV’s most iconic ambassador, J-Hope.

Pharrell is an artist who wears many hats, and his role as a fashion designer allows him to combine several of them. Who knows ? Maybe his next collection will be presented during one of his concerts.

And finally, the pieces 

Collaborations are the perfect way to merge the best elements of each fashion designer into one collection. That’s exactly what happened here with Pharrell and Nigo, who embraced both the old and the new at LV. At LV, Pharrell is an absolute master of streetwear, while Nigo’s work for the brand has leaned more towards workwear. Combine the two, and you get an incredible collection that highlights two of the most popular aspects of Louis Vuitton’s identity.

In this show, admire business suits, long coats, varsity jackets, and oversized sneakers, most of them accessorized with ties. Yes, a true tie galore, in all colors : keep it classic with black or brown, or make a statement with a vibrant pink. For an outfit to be perfect, complete it with accessories, that is the key. 

As for the collection’s color palette, we see all of the maison’s signature shades: black, brown, beige, and gray, with or without the iconic monogram, plus a pop of pink.

Pharrell Williams knows how to work with leather goods. For this collection, he masterfully paired his outfits with the perfect new bag models. Think travel bags, tiny ones for just your phone and keys, or even a squashed-looking bag worn like a wallet (sounds odd described this way, but trust me, it works). And among them all, some models were even pushing LV trunks ! A superb return to Louis Vuitton’s roots, we love it when the brand honors its origins.

This collection perfectly embellished Louis Vuitton’s past, with vintage pieces and the collaboration with designer Nigo, while introducing the new LV Men under Pharrell’s direction. With this collection, the artist successfully balanced heritage and innovation. What can we expect for the next one ? Perhaps something completely different from what we’ve seen so far. A collection in which Pharrell will push creative boundaries further, with even more ambition and experimentation. We are eagerly anticipating the next level of Louis Vuitton Men’s dynamism.

*The LVMH Prize is an annual award that recognizes and supports emerging fashion designers from around the world. It aims to help young talent by offering financial support, mentorship, and exposure, with the winner receiving a significant grant and the opportunity to work with LVMH’s network of experts.