Source: Pharrell Instagram @Skateboard / Instagram: @skateboard
Pharrell, a long-time leader in Hip-hop fashion culture, is entering his third year as Louis Vuitton’s Men’s creative director and is kicking things off in a big way.
On Jan. 21, he’ll debut his fourth collection for the French fashion house in Paris. And now, to get the hype train rolling, he’s returning to his footwear, as evidenced by his most recent Instagram post on his @skateboard finsta.
The caption reads ButterSoft, possibly revealing the unreleased kicks’ name.
The post features two photos, with the first showing nearly 50 pairs of the new silhouette. The colorways are reminiscent of his sneakerhead past, including the louder, more vibrant ones reminiscent of when he was a heavy Bape wearer and even his more affordable offshoot with Japanese streetwear legend Nigo, ICECREAM.
The wider outsoles, thick tongues, and reinforced heel collar resemble his Reebok Ice Cream Board Flip sneaker.
But beyond those elements, the actual silhouette resembles the Nike Cortez, only swapping out the swoosh for Louis Vuitton’s monogram logo.
Yet the Cortez, originally designed by NIke’s Bill Bowerman, features the same no-frills running shoe look we’ve come to love after it was first introduced at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
In the second picture, we get a better look at the style Pharrell personally wears in the first photo, as he holds a pair of camel-colored shoes for fans to get a closer view.
Pharrell is known as a trendsetter, but social media is unsure about his latest contribution to LV.
But it was just in November 2024’s issue of GQ that he made it clear that he doesn’t operate creatively under anyone else — even LVMH head Bernard Arnault– and he’s in control.
“No. I’m in a house. It literally operates like a house. Obviously, it’s his house. And they pay me very well. But no one’s like, You better do this and You need to do that. It’s like an artist in residence,” he said. “So it’s very different. I wouldn’t have taken it if somebody thought they was my boss. I’m good. I am blessed.”
A release date has yet to be mentioned for the teased kicks, but see how social media is already sounding off below.
