Pharrell Williams Presents His Vision on the Slopes

Pharrell Williams has designed Louis Vuitton's latest ski line, which integrates striking aesthetics, sustainability, and technical advancement for both skiers and après-ski aficionados.

Louis Vuitton

An unforeseen revelation has emerged: Searching for "Pharrell Williams" and "ski" in various combinations yields numerous videos of skiers performing dances to Williams' viral hit "Happy." A single video has amassed 7.5 million views on YouTube. The majority originate from a decade ago when, motivated by Williams' official music video, admirers of the song opted to produce their own adaptations en masse—coincidentally, many feature individuals at ski resorts.

No one could have anticipated that, years later, Williams would develop ski apparel. Louis Vuitton's recent ski collection marks Williams' inaugural endeavor as the Maison's men's creative director and, as anticipated, draws inspiration from the tenets of his menswear designs.

Louis Vuitton is undoubtedly familiar with the sport. It initially launched a ski-centric capsule collection in 2021 and has subsequently expanded its aesthetic over both ski and après-ski products. This current line integrates the necessary functionality for engaging in the sport while including advanced sustainability features. Recycled materials are extensively utilized in the production of ski suits and shell suits to minimize the consumption of virgin resources and thus, mitigate environmental effect. While it may not be the primary concern of enthusiastic skiers, the necessity to be cognizant of our ecological footprint, along with the imperative to safeguard the future of skiing against climate change, renders it a commendable consideration.

The collection utilizes Williams' Damoflage motif—a reinterpretation of Louis Vuitton's Damier checks as a camouflage pattern—adapted for cold conditions, termed Damoflage Snow. The winter color scheme of Damoflage Snow embellishes a technical ski shell suit (ensuring you remain inconspicuous on the slopes), an après-ski fleece tracksuit, and accessories including technical ski mittens and a reversible wool beanie. Damoflage Snow also dictates the color palette of the entire collection, which is abundant in blacks, greys, and whites.

The collection comprehensively addresses all technological aspects. Ski trousers are spacious and insulated, while a technical ski underlayer and its corresponding leggings are constructed from composite materials for enhanced protection. The LV Blizzard boot is designed for durability and waterproofing, with an inside sock, a snow-proof ankle drawstring, and ruching, while the LV Trainer and LV Trainer Snow have been reengineered as technical waterproof performance sneakers. The LV Snowfall ski mask offers water and fog resistance, features UV protection, and incorporates a three-layer insulation system, complemented by an adjustable monogrammed strap for a comfortable, tailored fit.

Does Williams engage in skiing? Based just on this initial collection, it is probable that he does. At the very least, he has successfully adopted the perspective of a skier to develop a collection that integrates style and ski utility, which should please this season's skiers.