Latest news with #SnakesandLadders'
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
Pharrell Williams brings India and Beyoncé to Louis Vuitton's Pompidou runway
PARIS -- The birds scattered in every direction as the first drumbeat thundered across the plaza outside Paris' Pompidou Center Tuesday, clearing the way for a different kind of flight: Beyoncé and Jay-Z swept into the front row. The star couple anchored a guest list at Pharrell Williams' latest Louis Vuitton spectacle that doubled as a map of contemporary culture now: Bradley Cooper, J-Hope, Karol G, Pinkpanthress, Future, Pusha T, Jackson Wang, Bambam, Mason Thames, Miles Caton, D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Malcolm Washington, Jalen Ramsey, and A$AP Nast. If there was any question about the gravitational pull of Louis Vuitton under Williams, it evaporated before the first look hit the runway. This was no ordinary catwalk: Williams — half showman, half pop impresario — staged a cultural passage from Paris to Mumbai, fusing Indian tradition and modern dandyism into a punchy, sunstruck vision of the Vuitton man in 2026. In Vuitton's world, a show is never just a show. It's a takeover, a mood. On Tuesday, the Pompidou's iconic colored pipes served as a sci-fi backdrop for a set dreamed up with Studio Mumbai architect Bijoy Jain: a lifesize 'Snakes and Ladders' board, alluding to both the child's game and the adult risks of fashion's global game. For Williams, the house's mantra of travel is less about destination, more about movemen. Up, down, sideways, sunward. The clothes? This season, they marched to their own drumbeat. Out came models in Indian-style chunky sandals, striped boxy shorts and blue preppy shirts with sleeves billowing like monsoon sails. Silken cargo pants shimmered in the sun; pin-striped puffers added a louche, almost Bollywood-kitsch edge. Cricket jerseys appeared with jeweled collars or — why not? — a puffy hood dripping with rhinestones. Blue pearlescent leather bombers flirted with the bling of Mumbai's film sets, while pin-striped tailoring riffed on both the British Raj and Parisian boulevardiers. If all this felt like cultural collision, that's by design. Williams' Vuitton has become a mood board for global wanderlust: the checked silks, the mismatched stripes, the trompe l'oeil fabrics that look sun-faded by actual adventures. It's a nod to the itinerant dandyism that's fast becoming his Vuitton calling card. Less about nostalgia, more about now. But don't mistake the globe-trotting optimism for naivety. There's calculation in the chaos. Williams' references bounce from Kenzo 's Nigo (his onetime collaborator) to Indian contemporary artisans — like the hand-beaded snakes slithering across shirts, or the sandalwood-scented linens that recall a summer in Rajasthan. The 'worldwide community' Vuitton preaches is real, but it's also realpolitik: What could be more luxurious in 2025 than clothing that tries to please everyone and everywhere, without losing itself? Of course, with Vuitton, the accessories make the man and this season's bags, bejeweled sandals and hardware-heavy necklaces delivered the requisite Instagram bait, each a covetable passport stamp in leather or gold. It's maximalism, sure, but not just for the TikTok set: the craftsmanship, from sun-bleached cloth to hand-loomed stripes, rewards anyone who bothers to look twice. If there's a criticism, it's that sometimes the noise of references threatens to drown out the signal. Williams piles motif on motif, color on color, joy on joy, until coherence blurs into sheer, Dionysian energy. But maybe that's the point: In a season of global anxiety the Vuitton man chooses to strut, sparkle, and swerve. LVMH, the world's largest luxury group, posted record revenue of 84.7 billion euros in 2024, with its Fashion & Leather Goods division anchored by Louis Vuitton still leading the pack. With a market value near $455 billion and over 6,300 stores worldwide, Vuitton remains the world's most valuable luxury brand. Even with a recent dip in sales, its scale and influence are unmatched. As the last look circled the Pompidou and the birds resettled, Vuitton's odyssey felt less like a fashion show and more like an announcement: the world is a game board, the ladders are real, and Louis Vuitton is still rolling the dice.
Hypebeast
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Pharrell Williams' Louis Vuitton SS26 Collection Is Rooted in Wearability
Summary Louis VuittonMen's Creative DirectorPharrell Williamsunveiled hisSpring/Summer 2026collection, a vibrant homage to modern Indian sartorialism infused with the dandyism central to the house. Staged in Paris's 4th arrondissement, the presentation transcended a typical fashion show, transforming into an immersive experience complete with a monumental 'Snakes and Ladders' board game runway, designed in collaboration with architectural visionaries Studio Mumbai. The collection, deeply inspired by the sensory environments of India, reflects on the nuanced sensibilities of present-day Indian clothing—its fabrics, cuts, colors, and craftsmanship, all conditioned by urban life, nature, and the vitality of the sun. This 'mind-expanding instinct' aligns perfectly with Louis Vuitton's heritage as a house of travel, connecting a worldwide community through an appreciation for discernment and savoir-faire. While the runway set might have been rife with bold, thematic elements, the collection itself was notably among Pharrell's most 'safest' and, arguably, most wearable for the House to date. This wasn't a drawback; it signaled a pragmatic approach, focusing on pieces with genuine commercial appeal. The collection featured buttery leather jackets, clean overcoats, sharp blazers, roomy dress trousers, short-sleeve button-ups, and quintessential formal wear, alongside the brand's iconic monogrammed leather baggage. This focus on realistic, shelf-ready clothing suggests a response to market demands, possibly addressing LVMH's recent sales slump, or simply leveraging Pharrell's innate ability to capture attention without ostentatious runway theatrics. Despite its commercial viability, the collection did not shy away from bold details for Louis Vuitton's 'loudly luxurious clients.' Audacious designs included mirage-like metallic jackets, trousers, and ties, as well as animal-covered suits, coats, and accessories, all executed with a refined touch that avoids being 'over the top.' A new brown denim wash, inspired by coffee beans, offered an alternative to classic indigo, designed to reveal its white thread over time. The collection was rich with cultural infusions and meticulous details. For the first time, motifs from the 2007 filmThe Darjeeling Limitedanimated embroideries and prints, including designs on bags used in the movie. Tailoring featured a 'lived-in elegance,' while 'glamping'-inspired mountaineering pieces like shell jackets and hiking boots were dandy-fied with heritage patterns and opulent embellishments. Everyday items were enriched with hand-embroidered stones, lace, and micro beads, with a check shell suit even woven entirely in metal yarn. Accessories included the new Speedy P9 bag in various luxurious treatments (painted stripes, vibrant embroidery, exotic leathers), and new shoe models like the LV Jazz lace-ups, LV Tilted skate shoe, and LV Buttersoft sneaker. The presentation was underscored by a bold original soundtrack composed and produced by Pharrell Williams, featuring diverse artists including Voices of Fire, A. R. Rahman, Clipse, Doechii and Tyler, the Creator, turning the show into an immersive spectacle where culture, connection, and creative energy converged.
Hamilton Spectator
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Pharrell Williams brings India and Beyoncé to Louis Vuitton's Pompidou runway
PARIS (AP) — The birds scattered in every direction as the first drumbeat thundered across the plaza outside Paris' Pompidou Center Tuesday, clearing the way for a different kind of flight: Beyoncé and Jay-Z swept into the front row. The star couple anchored a guest list at Pharrell Williams' latest Louis Vuitton spectacle that doubled as a map of contemporary culture now: Bradley Cooper, J-Hope, Karol G, Pinkpanthress, Future, Pusha T, Jackson Wang, Bambam, Mason Thames, Miles Caton, D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Malcolm Washington, Jalen Ramsey, and A$AP Nast. If there was any question about the gravitational pull of Louis Vuitton under Williams, it evaporated before the first look hit the runway. This was no ordinary catwalk: Williams — half showman, half pop impresario — staged a cultural passage from Paris to Mumbai, fusing Indian tradition and modern dandyism into a punchy, sunstruck vision of the Vuitton man in 2026. In Vuitton's world, a show is never just a show. It's a takeover, a mood. On Tuesday, the Pompidou's iconic colored pipes served as a sci-fi backdrop for a set dreamed up with Studio Mumbai architect Bijoy Jain: a life-size 'Snakes and Ladders' board, alluding to both the child's game and the adult risks of fashion's global game. For Williams, the house's mantra of travel is less about destination, more about movemen. Up, down, sideways, sunward. The clothes? This season, they marched to their own drumbeat. Out came models in Indian-style chunky sandals, striped boxy shorts and blue preppy shirts with sleeves billowing like monsoon sails. Silken cargo pants shimmered in the sun; pin-striped puffers added a louche, almost Bollywood-kitsch edge. Cricket jerseys appeared with jeweled collars or — why not? — a puffy hood dripping with rhinestones. Blue pearlescent leather bombers flirted with the bling of Mumbai's film sets, while pin-striped tailoring riffed on both the British Raj and Parisian boulevardiers. If all this felt like cultural collision, that's by design. Williams' Vuitton has become a mood board for global wanderlust: the checked silks, the mismatched stripes, the trompe l'oeil fabrics that look sun-faded by actual adventures. It's a nod to the itinerant dandyism that's fast becoming his Vuitton calling card. Less about nostalgia, more about now. But don't mistake the globe-trotting optimism for naivety. There's calculation in the chaos. Williams' references bounce from Kenzo 's Nigo (his onetime collaborator) to Indian contemporary artisans — like the hand-beaded snakes slithering across shirts, or the sandalwood-scented linens that recall a summer in Rajasthan. The 'worldwide community' Vuitton preaches is real, but it's also realpolitik: What could be more luxurious in 2025 than clothing that tries to please everyone and everywhere, without losing itself? Of course, with Vuitton, the accessories make the man and this season's bags, bejeweled sandals and hardware-heavy necklaces delivered the requisite Instagram bait, each a covetable passport stamp in leather or gold. It's maximalism, sure, but not just for the TikTok set: the craftsmanship, from sun-bleached cloth to hand-loomed stripes, rewards anyone who bothers to look twice. If there's a criticism, it's that sometimes the noise of references threatens to drown out the signal. Williams piles motif on motif, color on color, joy on joy, until coherence blurs into sheer, Dionysian energy. But maybe that's the point: In a season of global anxiety the Vuitton man chooses to strut, sparkle, and swerve. LVMH, the world's largest luxury group, posted record revenue of 84.7 billion euros in 2024, with its Fashion & Leather Goods division anchored by Louis Vuitton still leading the pack. With a market value near $455 billion and over 6,300 stores worldwide, Vuitton remains the world's most valuable luxury brand. Even with a recent dip in sales, its scale and influence are unmatched. As the last look circled the Pompidou and the birds resettled, Vuitton's odyssey felt less like a fashion show and more like an announcement: the world is a game board, the ladders are real, and Louis Vuitton is still rolling the dice. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pharrell Williams brings India and Beyoncé to Louis Vuitton's Pompidou runway
PARIS (AP) — The birds scattered in every direction as the first drumbeat thundered across the plaza outside Paris' Pompidou Center Tuesday, clearing the way for a different kind of flight: Beyoncé and Jay-Z swept into the front row. The star couple anchored a guest list at Pharrell Williams' latest Louis Vuitton spectacle that doubled as a map of contemporary culture now: Bradley Cooper, J-Hope, Karol G, Pinkpanthress, Future, Pusha T, Jackson Wang, Bambam, Mason Thames, Miles Caton, D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Malcolm Washington, Jalen Ramsey, and A$AP Nast. If there was any question about the gravitational pull of Louis Vuitton under Williams, it evaporated before the first look hit the runway. This was no ordinary catwalk: Williams — half showman, half pop impresario — staged a cultural passage from Paris to Mumbai, fusing Indian tradition and modern dandyism into a punchy, sunstruck vision of the Vuitton man in 2026. In Vuitton's world, a show is never just a show. It's a takeover, a mood. On Tuesday, the Pompidou's iconic colored pipes served as a sci-fi backdrop for a set dreamed up with Studio Mumbai architect Bijoy Jain: a life-size 'Snakes and Ladders' board, alluding to both the child's game and the adult risks of fashion's global game. For Williams, the house's mantra of travel is less about destination, more about movemen. Up, down, sideways, sunward. The clothes? This season, they marched to their own drumbeat. Out came models in Indian-style chunky sandals, striped boxy shorts and blue preppy shirts with sleeves billowing like monsoon sails. Silken cargo pants shimmered in the sun; pin-striped puffers added a louche, almost Bollywood-kitsch edge. Cricket jerseys appeared with jeweled collars or — why not? — a puffy hood dripping with rhinestones. Blue pearlescent leather bombers flirted with the bling of Mumbai's film sets, while pin-striped tailoring riffed on both the British Raj and Parisian boulevardiers. If all this felt like cultural collision, that's by design. Williams' Vuitton has become a mood board for global wanderlust: the checked silks, the mismatched stripes, the trompe l'oeil fabrics that look sun-faded by actual adventures. It's a nod to the itinerant dandyism that's fast becoming his Vuitton calling card. Less about nostalgia, more about now. But don't mistake the globe-trotting optimism for naivety. There's calculation in the chaos. Williams' references bounce from Kenzo 's Nigo (his onetime collaborator) to Indian contemporary artisans — like the hand-beaded snakes slithering across shirts, or the sandalwood-scented linens that recall a summer in Rajasthan. The 'worldwide community' Vuitton preaches is real, but it's also realpolitik: What could be more luxurious in 2025 than clothing that tries to please everyone and everywhere, without losing itself? Of course, with Vuitton, the accessories make the man and this season's bags, bejeweled sandals and hardware-heavy necklaces delivered the requisite Instagram bait, each a covetable passport stamp in leather or gold. It's maximalism, sure, but not just for the TikTok set: the craftsmanship, from sun-bleached cloth to hand-loomed stripes, rewards anyone who bothers to look twice. If there's a criticism, it's that sometimes the noise of references threatens to drown out the signal. Williams piles motif on motif, color on color, joy on joy, until coherence blurs into sheer, Dionysian energy. But maybe that's the point: In a season of global anxiety the Vuitton man chooses to strut, sparkle, and swerve. LVMH, the world's largest luxury group, posted record revenue of 84.7 billion euros in 2024, with its Fashion & Leather Goods division anchored by Louis Vuitton still leading the pack. With a market value near $455 billion and over 6,300 stores worldwide, Vuitton remains the world's most valuable luxury brand. Even with a recent dip in sales, its scale and influence are unmatched. As the last look circled the Pompidou and the birds resettled, Vuitton's odyssey felt less like a fashion show and more like an announcement: the world is a game board, the ladders are real, and Louis Vuitton is still rolling the dice.
