For someone who’s never been a huge Louis Vuitton fan, I was absolutely blown away at the Fall 2024 Menswear show. Let’s just say I may or may not have started a separate savings account for some of these pieces. I’m obsessed.
The show was hosted in Paris at the Jardin d’Acclimatation. The Jardin d’Acclimatation is currently a children’s theme park, but it’s the oldest amusement park in Paris with its doors opening October 9, 1860. It was founded by Napoleon III and his wife Empress Eugénie. The Jardin d’Acclimatation was completely transformed by scenography into the stereotypical imagery of the American Old Wild West. This collection hits especially close to home for designer Pharrell Williams originally from the States. While talking to the press after the show Pharrell touched on his intentions with the casting. He discloses, “When you see cowboys portrayed you see only a few versions. You never really get to see what some of the original cowboys looked like. They looked like us, they looked like me. They looked Black. They looked Native American.” Pharrell’s Take on the American Wild West was tasteful, respectful, and well-representative of the original native people of the United States.
Just through my own observations, I’ve noticed a very subtle but climbing increase in the “American Traditional” style throughout menswear and I believe this collection has come out at the perfect time. The American Wild West has never gone out of style but it’s not overdone and this collection has utilized the perfect amount of the most easily recognizable western staples throughout the entire collection. The turquoise accents, classic chunky belt buckles, and beautifully detailed cowboy boots are these recognizable staples, but with a newer look.
In my humble opinion, I still can’t seem to get behind the whole pixel thing, but I can always get behind some good cow print. Cow print has been a staple in my life since I started selling cow print duct tape wallets and had the iconic cow print wildflower phone case on my phone (hope that’s not too niche). I haven’t been this captivated with a collection for quite a long time. The attention to detail in all of the pieces and the minor styling details like the one tooth grillz, colored lassos, belt chains, bolo ties, and the massive variety of bags bring the entire outfits together. Styling like this is what makes a boring look and turns it into a beautiful, thoughtful collection like this. The looks vary from traditional workwear silhouettes that are expected with this theme, but you can see Pharrell’s direct influence when some of the silhouettes lean more towards classic streetwear silhouettes like bomber jackets and baggy cargos. This fluid movement from tailored workwear to oversized trendy bomber jackets attracts such a wide target audience of consumers and people like me; window shoppers.
After watching the show, one can tell this is definitely not Pharrell’s first rodeo.
Words by Anna Jara
Graphics by Sam Moyet