Rihanna shares the stage with Louis Vuitton’s iconic Speedy as contextualized in a vibrant campaign series directed by Pharrell Williams himself
Pharrell Williams’ first show for Louis Vuitton has gained millions of positive reviews around the globe. He was praised for his fresh interpretation of several of Louis Vuitton’s iconic creations without losing their attentiveness towards new directions. Apart from discovering a new Damoflage motif, Williams stayed behind the lines to work on the 1930s Speedy bag.
The bag is especially dear to Williams as it marks the first Louis Vuitton bag he owned. And to capture that particular sensibility, the 50-year-old designer cast his close friend Rihanna to star in the campaign for his design. Channeling the epitome of modern day culture, Rihanna was photographed holding a cup of coffee while carrying several Speedy bags in their new vibrant colors against the Musée d’ Orsay. This work of art was photographed by Keizō Kitajima and Martine Syms. Cynthia Lu and Matthew Henson, long-time collaborators of Williams, were in charge of styling.
Pharrell Williams’ new interpretation of the Speedy was inspired by Canal Street in Lower Manhattan, pinpointing the place he first discovered the world of luxury. With his stylistic attitude and understanding of street codes, William further reworked the idea to channel today’s contemporary style. And Rihanna perfectly personified the creation with her strong presence. The fact that she is visibly pregnant turns the campaign into a sort of human empowerment symbol with a strong aesthetic direction, thus re-contextualizing Williams’ fresh approach for the Maison.