rider's blog
rider's fashion blog
Looking Back on Pharrell Williams' Big Year
PHARRELL THE PROFESSIONAL:When the year-end list for the fashionindustry’s hardest-working person of 2014 is compiled, Pharrell Williams’ name is bound to stand on top. Last week, after promoting his fragrance, Girl, created with Comme des Garçons at Dover Street Market in London, he jetted to Los Angelesto celebrate the launch of his fashioncollaboration with Adidas at Hinoki and the Bird with guests including Samantha Ronson, Khloé Kardashian, Ellen Pompeo, Matthias Vriens-McGrath,Karla Welch and ASAP Ferg. Transforming Adidas’ signature three stripes into the sign for the social equality movement by deleting one streak and coloring it bright yellow, Williams proved that he cares about more than just music. “He stands for a cultural change,” said Dirk Schönberger, creative director of Adidas’ Sport Style Division, who printed postcards declaring that equality is acceptance, love and strength to promote Williams’ collection.
Certainly, Williams goes with the flow for his various projects, which include waltzing in a short film with Cara Delevingne for Chanel, designing eco-friendly jeans with G-Star Raw and returning as a judge on the next season of “The Voice.” “I don’t consider it work,” he said. “It’s not all the time that brands open their doors and give you a platform to express yourself. That’s a gift.”
Perhaps his biggest gift to fellow “The Voice” judge and master multitasker Gwen Stefani was plastering the polka dots he adores all over Adidas’ Stan Smith sneakers. “Are you kidding me?” she shrieked, grabbing a black pair covered with silver spots. Personalizing the satin track jacket from his collection with emoji patches created for their new duet titled “Spark the Fire,” Stefani relished that Williams is a kindred spirit. “We have such a weird connection,” she said. “We both like a lot of the same things.”
As for extending their synchronicity to fashion design, such as a tie-up between Stefani’s L.A.M.B. and Williams’ Billionaire Boys Club, the platinum blonde singer showed a spark in her eye. “You never know,” she said coyly.
