The Evolution of an Icon —Here Are Some of Pharrell Williams' Best Fashion Moments

Pharrell Williams has become a fashion icon, as he is often celebrated for his distinctive wardrobe choices and trendsetting influence.

Pharrell, born in Virginia Beach, first gained notoriety as a producer and one-half of the duo, The Neptunes. Alongside Chad Hugo, Pharrell produced some of the biggest records of the early 2000s. The group scored their first Grammy win in 2004, just as Pharrell’s solo career began to flourish.

As the “Frontin” singer ascended in the music industry, his fashion sense also began to garner attention. Pharrell’s style – characterized by a blend of streetwear, skate culture, and high-end luxury – has inspired a generation of fashion enthusiasts.

Let’s take a look at the musician’s style evolution and some of his best looks.

Since the beginning of his public career, Pharrell has been a leader in the fashion game.

His outfits in the early 2000s blended streetwear with skateboard culture and helped to bring urban fashion to a mainstream audience. Pharrell was rocking snapback hats and loose-fitting Dickies before they were cool.

By 2005, Pharrell had become one of the best-dressed musicians in the industry and his fashion influence was undeniable.

He eventually joined forces with A Bathing Ape (BAPE) and he started sporting looks from the brand relentlessly. In 2006, the BAPE x Pharrell ROADSTA sneakers were released in three different colorways. He later partnered with the brand to launch Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream sneakers.

Like many things, fashion trends change. However, Pharrell has always managed to stay ahead of the curve.

The entertainer switched up his style in 2010, when he began fusing streetwear with high-end looks. He famously donned a Moncler Gamme Bleu camouflage suit at the fashion house’s 60th-anniversary party during Art Basel. The suit was equipped with cropped slacks and garnered a lot of attention at the time. Folks like LeBron James and Odell Beckham Jr. have since rocked versions of the outfit.

One of Pharrell’s most iconic accessories is his oversized Vivienne Westwood hat.

Pharrell first wore the hat during his performance with Daf Punk at the 2014 Grammy Awards. He continued wearing the hat throughout the year and eventually became synonymous with the wide-brimmed headpiece.

Pharrell later got into a playful spat with Arby’s after the fast-food chain suggested that the singer stole their iconic hat for his Grammy performance. The company later purchased the hat for $44,100 and placed it on display at the Newseum and the Grammy Museum.

In 2019, Pharrell dropped his first collaboration with Chanel. The collection consisted of high-end t-shirts, hoodies, and sneakers – alongside dresses, loafers, jewelry, and shopping bags. He opened up about the collection during an interview with Women’s Wear Daily.

“The main thing is that this capsule is sort of unisex, so already that’s a new approach,” he said. “I’ve been wearing Chanel’s women’s clothes for years now, but being able to make this capsule unisex gives more people access.”

Following Virgil Abloh’s death, Pharrell took on the role as the creative director of Louis Vuitton menswear.

“Pharrell Williams is a visionary whose creative universes expand from music to art, and to fashion,” the fashion house said in an Instagram post.

Pharrell has since gotten to work and shows no signs of slowing down. He led the charge at the designer’s Fall 2024 fashion show on Jan. 17, premiering a collection inspired by America’s Western roots.