Pharrell Williams launched her first collection as artistic director of LVHM. Before the excitement dies down, a freelance designer calls her.
Pharrell Williams’ new collection
The musician-turned-fashion-icon is being praised for his exciting collection which made its appearance in Paris last week. Not only was it a star-studded event with biggies like Jay-Z and Beyonce, but they’re not going out for nothing!
Zendaya was in the front row. A$AP Rocky and Rihanna made an appearance, even Lenny Kravitz was there. The room was buzzing and in light of the monumental moment for Williams, he also dropped a new song.
The crowd went wild when the hit was played. Music lovers like Beyonce performed on the upbeat pop hit. The song is titled “JOY” and features the Voices of Fire choir.
But wait, someone else did it first
Amidst all her “JOY”, Williams is now being challenged by Kellie Ford, an independent designer who went viral in 2021. She turned a Louis Vuitton tote into a handbag! The look was so popular that it had over 10 million views.
Ford hopped on TikTok to discuss Williams’ show and recognized his own design on a Paris catwalk. She spoke candidly with her followers, mentioning that even celebrities “hit me” to praise her design.
@fly4ikellie♬ original sound – Kellie Ford
So she says it was well known enough to happen. She even noted that Dapper Dan called her and congratulated her! “Fast forward to 2023, and under the creative direction of Pharrell for Louis Vuitton, they’ve ditched what looks like the bag. Yeah, that’s crazy.
@fly4ikellie The Louis Vuitton shopping bag has become a cute new Louis handbag!!! I like to see how I rock it!!! #foryoupage #fyp#diy ♬ original sound – Kellie Ford
She showed her and Williams’ design to prove her point. She went to admit she felt hopeless here, “what can we do,” she told other designers it’s happened to.
Pharrell Williams has yet to respond.
The musician/designer is busy basking in the glory of this major life event and no official statement has been released regarding this alleged designer violation. Plus, Williams’ show has more than scholarships.
He was showcasing what he called “men’s clothing”, but said he was designing “clothing for humans”. He showed it by having the likes of Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and Zendaya wear his designs. While some have clowned the Kardashians for looking like a Minecraft character, the look is so her and it’s sure to fly off the shelves.
Not everyone agrees
The freelance designer is pushed back on her claims. Not everyone agrees that she did something profound and even called her version of the handbag completely different. “It came first ‘the chicken or the egg’ because it was their shopping bag that she turned into another bag, so they made a bag out of it too 🤔,” claims a follower .
“Baby, they took their bag and made it out of leather!!!!😂😂😂😂 You laminated their bag! Too!!! It’s THEIR BAG! Boldness,” another follower reminded her. .
“It’s so hard, and I’m not trying to diminish your idea, but baby, make it real,” another wrote. However, not everyone hated her, some thought she deserved some kind of shoutout.
“@Pharrell does it right FOR THE CULTURE,” claims one follower. when someone told her she could be sued. ” No. They could literally sue you for profiting without permission.
Which side are you on?