The Many Phases of Pharrell Williams
Despite looking like he’s never aged a day in his life, the prolific producer, musical artist, and activist Pharrell Williams, is always evolving when it comes to fashion. In the beginning of his career, he rivaled icons like André 3000 for pushing the boundaries when it came to hip hop style staples like fur coats, loud denim, and track suits. And in 2005 started his own label, Billionaire Boys Club with Nigo, the founder of Bape and current creative director at Uniqlo. Despite catering to a menswear consumer, Williams has never been afraid to dabble with womenswear styles and colors, and famously toted bright Birkin bags around town. Today, he’s forged a fruitful friendship with Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld, and can be seen on red carpets at the Oscars, Grammys, and Golden Globes wearing the brand’s sharp but unique suits, plus a Chanel beanie for good measure. Here, his best and boldest looks through the years.
1
In 2003, Williams kept things simple with an oversized t-shirt and hat from his not-yet-launched line Billionaire Boys Club, camouflage cargo pants, and a skateboard necklace. So Aughts.
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2
At a preview for the Metropolitan Museum’s 2004 exhibition “WILD: Fashion Untamed,” Williams was right on theme in a bold fur coat and a black Gucci belt.
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3
In a sideways hat, navy hoodie, and embellished denim at the 2005 Billboard Music Awards, Wiliams promoted his new clothing line Ice Cream—amongst other things. A colorful medallion necklace by Jacob the Jeweler was the cherry on top of an eclectic outfit.
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4
The 2006 Audi Polo Challenge Cup called for country club chic—and Williams delivered. In a white linen suit and brogues, a pink pinstripe shirt, and a tucked-in navy polka dotted tie, the star looked, in a word, dapper.
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5
Pharrell celebrated Lorraine Schwartz in 2007 in a t-shirt from his Ice Cream label, dark, roomy jeans, and the coolest accessory of 2007, a Blackberry. Ping!!!
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6
Likely channeling his favorite Wes Anderson characters, Williams donned a golfing cap, khaki blazer, and undone riding boots for a 2009 party at the Serpentine Gallery. Light distressed jeans kept things from looking too Fantastic Mr. Fox-y.
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7
Williams showed an early interest in the statement accessory at the 2010 NRJ Music Awards with a pair of floral Nike moon boots. Somehow @PharrellsNikeMoonBoots never quite took off.
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8
Never one to blend in, Williams sported a camouflage short suit by Moncler Gamma Bleu to a 2012 Art Basel party. When in Miami…
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9
Pharrell donned a patchwork fur coat (a top Fall 2014 trend—always one step ahead) to fete the opening of a new Moncler flagship store. Though his out-there outerwear was equipped with a bold hood, the star had a hat on hand just in case.
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10
The “Happy” singer stole the show at the 2014 Grammy Awards in a red leather Adidas jacket, dark jeans, and distressed brown boots. He also wore a hat, in case you hadn’t heard….
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112015
Pharrell Williams’ suit may look white in this photo, but it’s actually a gray fabric that illuminates with flash. Here, he and his wife attend The 57th Annual Grammy Awards, and she might have upstaged him this time in an Adidas jumpsuit.
122016
Pharell Williams has recently developed a fruitful friendship with Karl Lagerfeld. Here, he walks the runway during the Chanel Metiers d’Art show in Paris, France.
132016
Here, Pharrell Williams demonstrates how to make “Millennial Pink” look chic at the “Hidden Figures” New York special screening in 2016.
142017
Never one for a traditional suit, Pharrell Williams wore a white Chanel jacket, jewels, and a beanie to the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in 2017.
152017
For perhaps his most dapper look to date, Pharrell Williams wore a Chanel tuxedo suit to the 89th Annual Academy Awards in 2017 in Hollywood, California.
