Pharrell Williams observes the diverse crowds of Central Park to create a wardrobe that mixes high-end construction with the ease of sportswear.
Summary
- Pharrell Williams observes the social mix of Central Park to create a wardrobe that balances “pre-dandy” refinement with the ease of city life.
- The collection swaps codes by rendering workwear in fine fabrics and reimagining the suit with technical materials and relaxed cuts.
- Leisure shapes the accessories, from tennis racket covers and milk carton bags to sneakers designed with no left or right distinction.
New York City has a specific energy. It vibrates off the pavement. For the Pre-Fall 2026 collection, Louis Vuitton Men’s Creative Director Pharrell Williams focuses on the city’s green lung. He observes the daily parade in Central Park. The collection acts as a mirror for the characters who fill the space, from the Upper East Side to Harlem. It studies the joggers, the skaters, and the families on picnic blankets.
Williams calls this look “park prep.” It offers a youthful take on dandyism. The style feels intuitive. It is the kind of clothes a man might throw on without overthinking. The silhouette is relaxed. Suits feature louche lines that look lived-in. They are not stiff. The wearer pairs these formal pieces with sports staples. It creates a friction between elegance and utility.
A method of “code-swapping” defines the construction. Workwear shapes appear in fine cloths. This proposes a new type of suit for the next generation. Denim gets treated like a canvas. Paint splatters adorn jeans and jackets. They nod to the artists who work along the park’s perimeter. This artistic touch extends to Azure Damier-patterned garments speckled with blue polka dots.
The first chapter reimagines classic menswear. A technical hooded blouson features a tonal Prince of Wales Monogram check. It mimics a suit when worn with matching trousers. But it offers more freedom. The rugged “Monogram Surplus” print returns in indigo denim on shirts and skater shorts. It appears in beige on fil-coupé nylon. A taupe cotton raincoat reverses into Monogram micro-check nylon. It gives two options in one piece.
Summer heat requires lighter materials. Brick-colored linen suits are half-lined. Navy double-breasted shirts replace heavy cotton. The line between home and street blurs. Striped silk jacquard boxer shorts appear as daywear. Texture plays a major role. Raffia Damier patterns cover cardigans and hand-crocheted polo shirts.
Accessories embrace the spirit of leisure. The house pays tribute to racket sports. A Classic Monogram canvas Keepall comes with two detachable tennis racket covers. A ping-pong racket bag joins the lineup. The picnic theme continues with milk carton bags in canvas and matcha-latte versions in green leather. The “Doudou Louis” plushy wears a logo jumper.
Footwear favors the unconventional. The “LV Tilted” sneaker has no left or right shoe. It returns in raffia and paint-splattered canvas. The “LV Jazz” updates the boat shoe in brown suede. A “Flaneur” backpack features perforated checks that show a yellow lining. The collection hides a secret. A Central Park bird is embossed under the enchapes of the bags.
