A snap of Pharrell Williams previewing one of the items from his Louis Vuitton debut shows him in a curiously-worded hoodie

Pharrell Williams with a message. Photo: highsnobiety/Instagram

By Lester Fang

About seven hours before Pharrell Williams was due to unveil his first Louis Vuitton collection, Highsnobiety shared a photo of the main man previewing one of the items he presumably would be showing at the show—a skateboard. But that was not the pull (an LV skateboard? Groundbreaking.) What caught my eyes first was the black hoodie that Mr Williams wore. It had text in white that read unambiguously, “ye must be Born again”. Okay, I really don’t know what that really means. Of course, Mr Williams is Kanye West’s good friend and he does want the disgraced Yeezy brand owner to be well. But what’s with the message now? And phrased in a manner that Mr West will clearly appreciate? And “Born”, not born?

Okay, okay, it’s actually an old top. He’s worn this Cactus Flea Market hoodie before (or one in another colour). But let me just hantam anyway. I think this unspoken, but written message could be to let us know of Mr West’s attendance at the LV show later: Don’t be surprised; give the guy a chance. Just because he doesn’t attend the Balenciaga show any more does not meant that he won’t be welcome at Louis Vuitton, the house that appreciates talented rap artistes. That the former Adidas collaborator will appear to support an entertainer-turned-designer is unsurprising. Mr West came to Paris to cheer his pal Virgil Abloh five years ago. He even went up to his bro at the end of the show, hugged him, and cried on his shoulder, in full public view. It is likely that the LV presentation will be a similarly emotional affair, full of lurve, and a veritable salute to Black Americana. I shall be watching.