ALEXANDRA SHULMAN’S NOTEBOOK: Can Pharrell really make it to the fashion head table?

It may seem like a small matter to those not involved in the fashion business, but the appointment of rapper and music producer Pharrell Williams as creative director of Louis Vuitton menswear will be watched in many other arenas to see if celebrities and social networks arrive now. top value experience.

Previously, the hugely powerful LVMH, which owns many luxury brands including Dior and Givenchy, as well as Louis Vuitton, has put in charge people with established track records in fashion design.

Pharrell has been a member of haute couture for years: a front-row fixture, renowned for his personal style, and an ambassador for Chanel. But to date, his contribution to design has been minimal. However, he replaces Virgil Abloh, who died in 2021 and who was considered by almost everyone to be extremely talented.

Although Abloh’s forte was sportswear, his talents ran much deeper than simply bringing another insanely expensive hoodie to Vuitton’s repertoire.

But by naming Pharrell creative director, Vuitton is betting on stardust over experience. It should be noted that in today’s commercial world, where one flashy Instagram post can sell thousands of bags, a high-profile character like Pharrell will shine on the undoubtedly excellent team already in place, create a hype and increase your attractive to the young. racially diverse shoppers.

He knows how to put together a great look, and with the Vuitton machine behind him, that may be all it takes. At least in the short term. Whether the focus has longevity will be eagerly watched. Could this be the beginning of the end for experienced and skilled designers, people who know the warp and woof of clothing creation, getting the best jobs? There will be many who hope not.

Renegade Vivienne still calls the shots

One designer who certainly knew fashion design inside and out was Dame Vivienne Westwood, who was given a wonderful memorial service last week.

Southwark Cathedral was brimming with glamor and respect. Vanessa Redgrave, Helena Bonham Carter, Jarvis Cocker, Kate Moss, Marc Jacobs and Georgia May Jagger were among the crowd gathered to hear family tributes and performances by Nick Cave and Chrissie Hynde. It was multigenerational and reflected Vivienne’s curious timelessness.

Helena Bonham Carter (pictured) was one of the famous faces at the memorial in Southwark Cathedral

Kate Moss (pictured), Marc Jacobs and Georgia May Jagger were among the crowd gathered to hear family tributes and performances by Nick Cave and Chrissie Hynde.

Although she was already 40 years old when she showed her first collection, she was always considered something of a young designer. She was someone who never joined the British fashion establishment and maintained her position as an unpredictable renegade throughout her life.

It was wonderful to see her stunning 26-year-old granddaughter, Cora Corré, in a bandage miniskirt and heels in the pulpit, reflecting that her grandmother would have told her to stop wasting time talking about her and instead use this powerful platform to a better target. Little things like saving the planet. Cora then changed tack and did as she was told, to great effect.

Jemima’s movie has the feel-good factor

Jemima Khan’s screenwriting and directorial debut What does love have to do with it? it’s tremendously fun. However, it is not an autobiographical film about her marriage to Imran Khan.

If you like the son of Bend It Like Beckham and Bridget Jones, then this is for you. Lily James plays Zoe, who is Jemima’s alter ego only because she has a habit of looking for love in all the wrong places. What makes the movie unusual is that it’s just so enjoyable. While knowledgeable and intelligent, dealing with cross-cultural mores and misconceptions, and informed by Khan’s years as a wife in Pakistan, the information is slightly watered down and all the more effective for it.

What a relief to see something that feels right. Culturally, we value entertainment of this type quite low on the critical scale. More often, the applause goes to works that focus on trauma and misery, racial injustice, and disability of any kind. Look at tonight’s Bafta best film nominations for Tár, All Quiet On The Western Front and The Banshees Of Inisherin. Everyone is somewhat serious: What does love have to do with it? makes his point but with humor and romance.

Liz Truss, the last prankster of the pack

It’s extraordinary, given the way that Liz Truss managed to wreck our economy in the short weeks of her leadership, that anyone would be interested in hearing her thoughts on important issues. But there she is, urging the world to build barricades against China.

It’s extraordinary, given the way that Liz Truss managed to wreck our economy in the short weeks of her leadership, that anyone would be interested in hearing her thoughts. But there she is, urging the world to come to the barricades against China, writes ALEXANDRA SHULMAN.

It seems that in politics there is no substantive correlation between receiving a position and being good at the job. You only have to look at our endless Cabinet reshuffles to be baffled by the way indifferent or even hopeless Ministers turn up time and time again.

And, in the unlikely event that they show any understanding of the issues, before they’ve had time to do anything in, say, Health, Education or Culture, they’ve been reshuffled. A most unsatisfactory deck of cards.

My thorny issue with Interflora

The other day I wanted to send flowers to a funeral on the outskirts of London. There was little time, so I turned to Interflora. Big mistake. The florist they contacted for the job called me to verify the order and we discussed how she wanted pale pinks and whites and as many pinks as possible. A few days after the funeral, the family kindly thanked me for arranging them and sent me a photo of the flowers: a striking bouquet of purple and orange, spiky greenery, and a distinct lack of anything resembling a rose.

Lights out time…but not on the river

The City of London is considering an initiative to call for a light curfew at 10pm, which is an inspired idea. There’s no need for the crowd of towering offices to keep their lights on all night. I hope they go ahead with the plan and that it is extended to the rest of London.

But could an exception be made for the bridges over the Thames? Their illuminated swooping shapes are such a beautiful sight on a dark and humid night.