Pharrell opens up about how he landed the coveted role as creative director of menswear for Louis Vuitton: ‘I never thought that it would be me’

Pharrell opened up about his personal and professional life in an extensive new interview with British GK for their September Hype issue.

The issue, which will hit newsstands everywhere on August 29 and is now available online, features the 50-year-old Down In Atlanta rapper addressing topics such as his new Parisian home, his plans for the future and how he felt when he assumed the position of menswear was offered. Louis Vuitton.

“It wasn’t an interview or anything,” Pharrell told the outlet, “it was like, ‘Are you accepting this position? Do you accept this appointment?’ I look at the water and I’m like ‘What?’

The Virginia Beach native also remembered the legacy of the fashion brand’s last creative director of menswear, Virgil Abloh, who sadly passed away in 2021 at the age of 41.

Pharrell made sure to note that he “will always pay tribute to (Virgil)” through his work at the famed French luxury fashion house.

Hypeman: The Happy singer opened up to the magazine about how Virgil Abloh continues to inspire him

The veteran record producer remained humble about his new role at Louis Vuitton, saying, “I never thought it would be me.”

He was in talks with the fashion house about Virgil’s successor, initially assuming Nigo, a Japanese fashion designer overseeing the Kenzo brand, would be the one to be hired for the role.

“I’ve been defending him for a minute now. And when me and Alexandre would talk about LV, we were always talking about different people. I’ve always been in the background, just advising.’

While the Cash In Cash Out singer hasn’t released a new album since 2017, he’s been dabbling in his new fashion venture, even showcasing his own collection at Paris Men’s Fashion Week in June.

Aside from rapping and fashion, the businessman revealed his plan for the future of Louis Vuitton’s menswear lines saying, “We’re not just going to do things to make money, otherwise we’ll just keep making the same belts and clothes.” T.’

He added, “That’s not what I was brought here for. I was brought here to shake the tree. That’s how you get the sweetest apples.’

Pharrell expressed his belief in the fashion house, stating: ‘The house has ambitions to grow exponentially, but that growth is not just numbers…Growth and taste, growth and setting the bar, growth and exceeding standards. The money follows.’

Louis Vuitton CEO Pietro Beccari told the magazine that he hired Icecream Footwear’s co-founder because he felt Pharrell had the “Midas touch” when it came to business and musical ventures.

Fashionista: The creator of Moncler Lunettes debuted as Louis Vuitton’s menswear creative director at Paris Fashion Week in June

Strike a pose: The Down In Atlanta rapper spoke to Britain’s GQ about his ambitious goals for Louis Vuitton; seen in June

Golden dude: The entrepreneur donned a green and white checked suit for his Paris Fashion Week debut; seen in June

A slew of celebrities ended up attending the Blurred Lines singer’s debut at Paris Fashion Week, from Rihanna to Beyonce.

However, Pharrell has made sure that he never forgets the man who came before him.

He revealed to Britain’s GQ that several of Virgil’s pieces are still in the Louis Vuitton menswear collection, adding, “I always knew Virgil was special.”

The Cold War rapper also plans to maintain the fashion house’s connection to skateboarding, a link that Virgil initially started.

“It’s like we’re working together in spirit,” the Just A Cloud Away singer fondly said of the late fashion designer.