Ashley Jackson’s debut solo album traces a Black classical continuum

For roughly a third of Ennanga, her debut album, Ashley Jackson performs her own arrangements for harp: an act of care and commitment, on a solitary scale. But Jackson is never really alone in this music. Her curatorial vision, interpretive choices and even her artistic identity all align culturally with the idea of a collective — and, more to the point, a continuum.

A good case in point is “I’m Troubled in Mind,” a spiritual that Samuel Coleridge-Taylor arranged for piano, and included in his 1905 collection 24 Negro Melodies. In her liner notes, Jackson observes that the song “reflects a highly personalized sense of grief and loss, taking us into the darker corners of the enslaved’s psyche.”

In this sense, her solo harp arrangement of the song — which begins and ends somberly, in guttural octaves, but peaks in a quickening, celestial ascent — puts itself in dialogue not only with Coleridge-Taylor but the plight of a people. Which might be too cumbersome a burden, if not for Jackson’s deft touch and thoughtful engagement. Ennanga is a gemlike offering precisely because she balances her instrument and its expressive potential against that moral calling, framing each gesture in personal terms.

Jackson, who earned advanced degrees at Yale and Juilliard, serves on the faculty in the music department at Hunter College, where she teaches harp as well as chamber music classes. Her doctoral work focused on Margaret Bonds — the subject of two fine recent albums by the Desoff Choirs, for which Jackson contributed liner notes.

The centerpiece and namesake of Ennanga is a chamber work by another 20th-century Black composer, William Grant Still. He composed the piece, named after an Ugandan harp, at the request of harpist Lois Adele Craft in the mid-1950s. Craft herself made one of the only previous recordings of the full work, which has a gospel undercurrent, a percolating rhythmic flow and an effective deployment of motifs. Jackson is a member of the Harlem Chamber Players, which beautifully inhabits the piece. For her part, Jackson handles Ennanga as if cradling a precious stone with velvet gloves, giving each melodic phrase and flourish room to breathe.

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If she had only featured works by Still and Coleridge-Taylor on this album, Jackson’s mission and purview would be perfectly sound. But she meaningfully expands the frame to acknowledge the role of Black women in the harp’s cultural landscape. “Prema,” the album’s opener, is a meditation that Alice Coltrane first recorded on her 1978 album Transfiguration; Jackson and the Harlem Chamber Players imbue the piece with a clear-eyed presence.

And “Essence of Ruby” is a drifting theme by Brandee Younger — openly inspired by “Essence of Sapphire,” a track on The Fantastic Jazz Harp of Dorothy Ashby. In her solo arrangement, Jackson intensifies the dramatic qualities of the piece, moving in and out of tempo; her glowing tone invites a listener to consider what it means for her to invoke both a living peer and a historic precursor as a kind of sisterhood.

Here and throughout Ennanga, exceptional recording quality brings Jackson’s harp into pristine focus. (The album was produced and mastered by Silas Brown, who shares engineering credits with Misha Kachkachisvili and Maureen Sickler.) The playing itself is beyond assured, and yet Jackson communicates a kind of humility — there’s not a single arpeggio or glissando that lands as an ostentation.

This is perhaps clearest on the closer: another piece from Still’s 24 Negro Melodies. “The Angels Changed My Name” is a song of celebration and uplift — and, as Jackson notes, a nod to the pantheon of Black artists who paved the way. It is, she writes, “about taking those lessons learned and looking to the future with optimism and in faith.”

Ashley Jackson’s Ennanga is available now on Bright Shiny Things.

RankTribe™ Black Business Directory News – Arts & Entertainment

Celebrating Juneteenth at Mukai Farm & Garden

The third annual event recognizing Juneteenth on Vashon took place on Sunday, June 18, at Mukai Farm & Garden — a verdant and peaceful spot where islanders gathered to celebrate the holiday that has long been observed as an important day for Black Americans.

Juneteenth marks the date of June 19, 1865, when enslaved citizens of Texas were finally declared free from bondage, a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

African Americans observed Emancipation Day, as Juneteenth was first known, as early as 1866, in Galveston, Texas. As community gatherings grew across Texas, celebrations included parades, prayer, singing, and readings of the proclamation.

Since 1979, Juneteenth has been a state holiday in Texas, but the push to make the holiday federally observed only succeeded in the wake of the nationwide protests of police violence in 2020.

In the summer of 2021, Congress quickly pushed through legislation with bipartisan support to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.

Vashon’s celebration of Juneteenth, organized in partnership between Vashon’s Juneteenth Committee and Mukai Farm & Garden, is now only three years old.

The family-friendly day of recognition and celebration of the contributions of Black Americans and culture included a visit by Vashon Reads Bookmobile, featuring a special selection of books about Juneteenth and Black History, and a powerhouse performance by Tacoma musician Kim Archer.

The celebration was dedicated to Harry Belafonte, the renowned Black artist, singer, civil and human rights activist, and supporter of revolutionary causes. Belafonte died, at the age of 96, on April 25.

Moving speeches by organizers Yasmin Ravard-Andresen, of the Juneteenth Committee, and Stacey Carkonen, interim director of Mukai Farm & Garden, bound together the many different heritages of those who had gathered for the celebration, as well as a responsibility to work for restorative justice to all individuals and communities who have suffered historical injustices.

Local chef Emily Vogt was also on hand to provide delicious picnic fare: beans and rice, turkey roll-ups, greens and potato salad.

Attendees new to the celebration were encouraged to learn more about reparations — providing financial or material compensation to individuals or communities who have suffered historical oppression and endured its generational trauma.

Signage at the Juneteenth Celebration detailed the benefits of reparations to all parties: “By acknowledging the past and providing compensation, reparations can help foster healing, reconciliation and social cohesion.”

RankTribe™ Black Business Directory News – Arts & Entertainment

BET Awards 2023: Asake, Ayra Star, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems bag nominations

The highly anticipated BET Awards 2023 is just around the corner, promising an unforgettable night of star-studded performances, heartfelt speeches, and well-deserved accolades. Nigerian viewers will have the opportunity to witness this spectacular event as it airs exclusively on DStv, BET Ch. 129. Mark your calendars for Sunday, 25th June 2023, at 11:00 PM to catch the live broadcast of the 23rd BET Awards.

Celebrating the achievements of black talents in music, film, television, and sports, the BET Awards has become one of the most prestigious ceremonies in the entertainment industry. From showcasing ground-breaking musical collaborations to addressing important social issues, the event has become synonymous with creativity, innovation, and advocacy.

This year’s BET Awards will celebrate 50 years of hip hop throughout the live telecast with special guests, presenters and performances by hip hop legends Ja Rule, Soulja Boy, Tyga, Remy Ma, E-40, Fat Joe and many more. With its diverse line-up of nominees, electrifying performances, and powerful moments, this year’s edition promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for viewers.

In addition to the exceptional performances, the BET Awards will present prestigious awards in categories such as Best Male and Female Artiste, Best Group, Best New Artiste, and Album of the Year. This year, five Nigerians artistes, Wizkid, Tems, Burna Boy, Ayra Star and Asake bag nominations for awards in different categories, with Burna Boy leading the pack with an impressive four nominations.

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary event that celebrates diversity, talent, and the rich cultural heritage of black artistes worldwide. Tune in on DStv, BET Ch. 129, on Sunday, 25th June 2023, at 11:00 PM for the live broadcast of the BET Awards 2023.

For those who miss the live broadcast, DStv will provide a repeat airing of the awards on Monday, 26th June 2023, at 5:00 PM. This allows viewers another chance to catch the memorable moments and celebrate the achievements of their favourite artistes.

It’s a show you won’t want to miss! So, gather your friends and family, grab your popcorn, and prepare to be enthralled by a night of celebration, music, and excellence of black entertainment.

DStv continues to offer its customers exceptional content that promises an enjoyable viewing experience.

RankTribe™ Black Business Directory News – Arts & Entertainment

Artist Jason McDonald on Making Glassware With Solange Knowles and Saint Heron

Jason McDonald discovered glassblowing more than two decades ago at an after school program in his hometown, Tacoma, Wash. He was 14 at the time, and it was nothing like anything he had ever seen before, he said: immediate, dangerous and sobering.

“It was like magic,” he said.

When he was diagnosed with A.D.H.D. at 37, he realized that some things held his attention more than others. And glass artistry was just one of those things that stuck.

The practice of fusing liquid sand into art objects dates back more than 2000 years, and yet there’s little to no record of Black glass blowers. “I can count on my fingers and toes the number of professional Black glass artists that I know, and still have some toes leftover,” Mr. McDonald said.

He said he has felt the isolation of being the only Black artist in a studio. He has been told by a peer that “you don’t belong here,” and tolerated emotionally abusive artists. But Mr. McDonald’s sense of purpose and drive toward his craft, and for his community, remain urgent.

So when Solange Knowles, the singer-songwriter and multidisciplinary artist, asked Mr. McDonald to collaborate on glassware after someone from her team spotted him on TV, he didn’t even have to think about it.

On June 20, Saint Heron, a creative agency and cultural institution founded by Ms. Knowles and named after her 2013 album, released a limited-edition collection of Small Matter Art Objects, designed by Ms. Knowles and produced by Mr. McDonald.

The collection is meant to reveal “the sentience of household objects through the landscape of Black domesticity,” according to a news release about it. The pieces cost $129 to $187 and sold out quickly.

“The Small Matter Glassware Collection both reflects and crystallizes time through material,” Ms. Knowles said in the news release. “It was important for our first Small Matter project to be an object designed with Black thought and created by Black hands. I am forever grateful to Jason McDonald’s artistry.”

The intention behind the first release was simple: to “put well-designed glassware into the hands of people that look like her and I, at a reasonable price point,” Mr. McDonald said.

The collection featured five handblown pieces produced in various quantities; there were 198 pieces in total. Mr. McDonald decided against using a mold for this line, which means that every piece is handmade.

He compared it to baking. If you follow a recipe each time, you’ll get a very similar result, he said.

Glassblowing manipulates liquid sand, using fire to shape the substance into objects. The natural material is apparent in the Saint Heron designs: earth, almost smokelike tones in modern bulbous silhouettes. Some glasses are more midcentury modern — solid, sleek — and glow as they catch the light.

Others are more playful: a short amber glass with raised dots scattered along the goblet, another with a thick cylinder stem with indented lines. It’s the elevated auntie glassware that serves as an art piece, as much as a dining set.

Mr. McDonald said his design sense is inspired by 16th-century Venetian furnace techniques — a marriage of heavily ornamented goblets with intricate stemware. “The collection’s design doesn’t reflect my interest in glass, but the heart behind it is everything I’m about,” he said.

When Mr. McDonald thinks about Black households cherishing the glassware in the hopes of inspiring communal gatherings, as intended by Ms. Knowles, it feels bigger than him.

“I am hoping that folks will kind of get where she’s coming from, in that this is designed by Black folks, and not exclusively for Black folks, but with Black folks in mind,” he said.

As someone who spends most of his time in a smoky studio, Mr. McDonald finds being in the public eye deeply uncomfortable, he said. Yet he competed in Season 2 of “Blown Away” (a glassblowing reality series on Netflix), recognizing that there are few opportunities in the glass world for Black artists.

“I have to be willing to have a public-facing persona,” he said. “You got to grab the opportunity while it’s there because there’s not a lot of it.”

While he doesn’t think the Saint Heron collection will change his life overnight, he said, he hopes that his art will be visible to more people, and that it might even put him on Oprah’s radar.

After graduating this year with a master’s degree in glassblowing from the Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia, Mr. McDonald is returning to where it all started, Tacoma, where he plans to try his hand as a self-employed glassmaker. “I’m not working with a Plan B,” he said. “So, this is what’s happening and I’ll succeed or fail, but I think I’ll make it.”

RankTribe™ Black Business Directory News – Arts & Entertainment

Columbia Museum of Art’s ‘More Than Rhythm’ series brings Dom Flemons

It’s not every day that a Grammy award winning musician, an Emmy award winning actor and historian comes to Columbia, but on Friday, June 23, an expert in all three will take the modest stage at the Columbia Museum of Art.

Dom Flemons, a multi-instrumentalist who plays everything from the banjo to the harmonica to the fife, promises to be a riveting performer. 

But there will be a lot more going on on Friday night than just music. Flemons is playing at the museum as part of its “More Than Rhythm: A Black Music Series” concerts, an exploration of the roots of African American music, culture and influence on modern American society.

Flemons is actually the final performer of Season Two of the More Than Rhythm series, so it seemed like a good time to explore the series a bit as its season finale approaches.

The history of the series actually goes back more than three years, when the COVID-19 pandemic turned the arts world on its head. It was the brainchild of the Columbia Museum of Art’s Manager of Engagement Wilson Bame.

“Wilson was really kind of trying to think through how we could do a really unique series that celebrated African American history and music,” the museum’s Deputy Director Joelle Ryan-Cook said. “And one of our longtime supporters for music at the museum, the Baker & Baker Foundation, really wanted to talk to us about something new… that gave Wilson the opportunity to just dream about what he wanted to do and then who he should be doing that with.”

Over the past two seasons, the series has grown increasingly more flexible — hosting sacred music performances, shows by critically acclaimed artists like Southern gothic blues queen Adia Victoria and appearances by local favorites like Mahoganëë Xperience, a Gullah-Geechee artist of South Carolina.

But they’ve also hosted film screenings and DJ nights. All of the artists involved start out their evenings with a one-hour-long discussion with series host Dr. Birgitta Johnson, an Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology and African American Studies at USC, and also Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

The museum had worked with Johnson on a number past projects, Ryan-Cook said, leading them to decide that she was the perfect fit for the event. 

“They wanted to have something more along the lines of a fully actualized and thought-out continuing series of events,” Dr. Johnson said. “And they wanted to also focus on African American musicians and the contributions of black artists to American music. And so they contacted me and said, ‘Hey can you help us?’ And I know, of course, about African American music. That’s my area of specialty.”

Johnson came to the table with a lot of ideas and a lot of suggestions for performers. She played a key role in crafting the approach of the series, particularly the conversation and audience Q&A before the performer actually plays.

“We looked through our different channels to see who could be a good fit, because in addition to having them come and perform, we’re very interested in artists who could also talk about who they are, what they’re doing and their process… we wanted to make it a combination of performance and also education,” Johnson said.

The result has been a fascinating combination of entertainment and education that has found an enthusiastic home with Columbia audiences.

“It’s not just hitting the stage, playing your instrument or sing your song and get off,” Johnson said, noting that some of the artists weren’t used to this method, and had a lot of fun doing something different like this event.

“People wanted to see something like this at the Museum,” added Ryan-Cook, who also mentioned that plans were in progress for a third season. “I think we were hopeful that it would have some real legs because we knew it was going to be really good quality. And so I think we’re just proud of the sense of community that’s going on.”

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RankTribe™ Black Business Directory News – Arts & Entertainment

Capital One Software boosts Snowflake cost visibility and adds intelligent query adviser

Capital One Software, the software arm of Capital One Financial Corp., today is announcing new features in Slingshot, which is a set of templates, custom workflows and controls that help users of the Snowflake Inc. Data Cloud better manage their cloud computer costs.

The offering is the first, and so far only, product the company has released in the year since it debuted, but more are expected as the unit gains its sea legs in the industry and builds a customer base.

“The last year for us has been about making sure that we’re delivering the right product for the right customer,” said Patrick Barch, senior director of product management. “We want to make sure it’s the right product for a broad set of customers and not for financial services or life sciences or other regulated entities.”

Cost visibility

Slingshot provides transparency into the cost, performance and usage of a company’s Snowflake accounts across variables like storage, serverless tasks, query timeouts and cloud services. Filters and tags can be applied to break down warehouse costs by custom categories.

The software continually scans the Snowflake environment to identify imbalances such as over- and under-provisioning. A dashboard shows the areas of greatest potential savings and provides targeted recommendations for improvement.

“We’ve created a way to dynamically provision compute capacity based on your specific peaks and valleys of usage,” Barch said. “Our recommended schedule may find that you don’t have a ton of activity between 12 a.m. and 8 a.m. so you can shrink your warehouse size to four clusters whereas during the workday you should scale to five clusters.”

A projections capability shows spending patterns over time, “which is really helpful when you go to renegotiate your contract or plan to add increased projects,” he said.

Identifying poorly performing warehouses and tweaking configurations is a bit of a black art, Barch said. “The first time a shared services team will hear that there’s an issue is when somebody from the business side is complaining,” he said. Slingshot gives data engineering teams a more proactive understanding of problem areas before they become apparent to users.

Better queries

A major enhancement in the new version is Query Advisor, which uses patented algorithms to dispense advice on how to improve SQL queries by comparing them to a database of thousands of optimized examples. “We scan the query text, run it against a set of optimization best practices and through an algorithm that comes up with recommendations that help you improve performance,” Barch said. “It’s something we developed in-house over the past several years and it’s helped us reduce our cost per query by about 43%.”

Suggested queries are segmented by opportunities for improvement and the recommendations are documented so users can choose which to implement.

The new version also provides greater visibility into resource usage. “You can now get a much deeper picture of your spend across all Snowflake cost drivers, whether it’s compute, storage, serverless tasks or cloud services,” Barch said. “Customers can better understand their bill, where they’re spending their money, and how to optimize what they’re doing.”

This version also includes improved tagging that makes it easier for users to tailor data sets to their needs.

“If you’re a retail company, for example, and you want to track shrinkage across different brands with out-of-the-box Snowflake, you would need to go into each individual account, manually apply the same set of tags, build a custom process to export all of that data into a central location and stand up a [business intelligence] tool on top of that to track one common process outcome across all of your different accounts,” Barch said. “With our new release, you can do that all in one step from a single pane of glass across all of your accounts.”

Image: Capital One Software

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RankTribe™ Black Business Directory News – Arts & Entertainment

75,000 expected at BAMS urban music festival in Boston

BOSTON – More than 75,000 people are expected to descend on Franklin Park for the Boston Art & Music Soul Festival this weekend.

The festival celebrates Black and Brown artists and audiences and aims to break down racial and social barriers to the arts. Since its debut in 2018, BAMS Festival is one of the fastest-growing music events in Boston.

Over the course of Friday night and Saturday, more than a dozen local, regional, and national entertainers will grace multiple stages – including hip-hop legend Grandmaster Flash who is headlining Saturday’s lineup.

There will be more than music. Food trucks, a kid zone, dance zone, and beer and wine garden will be available for festival goers. Friday also features BAMS CONX, a conference “that brings together creators, industry leaders, and movers and shakers who shape, influence and amplify Black artistry, Black business, and imagination.”

BAMS Festival was founded by Boston native Catherine Morris. Morris was inspired by the diverse arts and cultural scene she experienced during college in Philadelphia and had the vision to bring an arts festival to her hometown that highlighted Black and Brown artists.

WBZ is a proud partner of the 2023 BAMS Festival.

RankTribe™ Black Business Directory News – Arts & Entertainment

Pharrell fuses entertainment and fashion for confident Louis Vuitton menswear debut

PARIS – Unveiling a new chapter in its illustrious history, Louis Vuitton made an indelible mark on Paris Fashion Week’s men’s shows as they premiered the debut collection by the acclaimed musician-turned-designer, Pharrell Williams. Appointed in February to fill the immense shoes left by the tragic departure of the late Virgil Abloh, Williams unveiled his design prowess to the fashion world with a show that exuded confidence and creativity.

The breathtaking venue for this sartorial spectacle was none other than Paris’s iconic Pont Neuf. The historic bridge, typically resplendent with time-worn stone, was transformed into a golden runway — a dramatic stage set against the backdrop of the shimmering Seine, under the starlit Parisian sky.

The event drew a constellation of stars in their own right, forming a stellar audience that encompassed icons of music, sports and entertainment. Among the guests lining the gilded cobbles were music royalty Beyoncé and Jay-Z, NBA superstar LeBron James, and global pop phenomenon Rihanna. Each added their own unique sparkle to the glitz and glamour of the occasion.

Williams’ first show proved to be an ambitious endeavor, interweaving the luxury and sophistication of high fashion with the pulsating energy and broad appeal of pop culture and entertainment. This was more than just a runway presentation; it was an immersive experience that captured the imagination of those fortunate enough to witness it firsthand.

The grand finale was a spectacular concert by Jay-Z. The electrifying performance brought the crowd to its feet, their excitement reaching a crescendo as Pharrell himself took to the stage to join his longtime collaborator.

Here are some highlights of spring-summer 2024 shows:

PHARRELL SPEAKS

As the sunlight filled the storied halls of Louis Vuitton’s headquarters, Pharrell Williams stepped into his new role as the fashion house’s menswear designer. His appointment symbolizes more than a career shift. It represents a daring move by the luxury brand to entrust this position to a music artist and cultural influencer, not a classically trained designer. But for Pharrell, he doesn’t feel the pressure to prove himself – he was chosen for this role.

“I didn’t feel any of that because if I was competing for it and people kept telling me, no don’t do it, I may have felt that way. But the difference is, I was chosen,” said Pharrell to a select group of reporters, including the AP. This sense of being chosen by the universe, or by Louis Vuitton, carries a sense of destiny for him. “So like when you’re chosen, you just kind of ride the wave,” he said.

But stepping into the designer role isn’t just about fulfilling his personal destiny. Williams also feels that he’s carrying on the legacy of the late Virgil Abloh, the first black Artistic Director at Louis Vuitton and a personal friend. “My appointment is a tribute,” said Williams, who sees his work as a continuation of the journey Abloh began.

The influence of Black culture, and the struggles the community has faced, is a strong driving force for Pharrell. He reflected on the unique flavor of American Black culture and its widespread appeal. “I think it’s something in the sauce,” he said. “And people like it when they try it.”

Williams emphasized the hard-earned global recognition of this cultural “sauce,” exemplified in the influence of figures like LeBron James, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Prince, and Basquiat. “A lot of people lost their lives and suffered through the experiences to get us to these positions,” he noted, underscoring the painful history that fuels his desire to honor his community through his work at Louis Vuitton.

Pharrell’s love for life, the moment, and opportunities, imbue his approach to design. “LV is for Louis Vuitton, but it’s also ‘lover’,” he mused. His interpretation of the Louis Vuitton initials signifies his intention to pour love and appreciation into his work, carrying the legacy of Black culture forward in a space where it has been historically underrepresented.

Williams already has exciting plans in motion, including a collaboration with Black American artist Henry Taylor, featuring Black faces lined up like the iconic Louis Vuitton monogram. He also revealed a campaign featuring Rihanna, another influential Black artist. “It’s not lost on me that I’m afforded this opportunity to tell these stories,” he said.

Despite his lack of a traditional design background, Pharrell Williams is stepping confidently into his new role at Louis Vuitton. Chosen by the brand and feeling no pressure to prove himself, he sees this opportunity as a chance to honor Black culture, carry on Virgil Abloh’s legacy, and share his love for life through design. His journey is one to watch, as he navigates the fashion world with his unique “sauce,” paying tribute to his roots and making his mark in high fashion.

LOUIS VUITTON SHOW

The pulse of Paris was set alight as music icon Pharrell Williams unveiled a debut fusing streetwear aesthetics into the French maison’s traditional lineage. The fashion show epitomized high-voltage energy, reverberating through the audience and culminating in a standing ovation for Williams.

The world-renowned musician, known for his genre-blurring creativity, masterfully orchestrated an event that transcended the typical realm of a runway show. The roster of attendees read like a who’s who of the entertainment industry, underscoring the hotly anticipated occasion. Notably present were Beyoncé, new brand ambassador Zendaya, and Rihanna, whose arrival in sync with the show’s climax was nothing short of theatrical.

Jay-Z’s live performance heightened the spectacle, electrifying audiences with concert-like energy. The event venue — on Paris’s oldest bridge draped in a gold Damier pattern — was a symbolic nod to the brand’s longstanding tradition, hinting at key elements in Williams’ debut collection.

The runway show mirrored a music video’s high energy, perhaps a testament to the influence of parent company LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton’s meteoric reach. Williams, an emblem of multifaceted artistry, had earlier hinted at his collection during his Virginia-based music festival, introducing “LVers,” a playful take on the state’s slogan, “Virginia Is for Lovers.”

Playing on the LV codes, Williams’ collaboration with American pixel artist E.T. for a digital motif and the use of Henry Taylor’s micro-embroideries added a further dimension to his debut lineup. The collection was replete with pixelated designs on a broad spectrum of pieces, alongside the Damier pattern — which graces the house’s bags — amplified in shades of yellow and black.

Channeling gender-fluid appeal, Williams showcased an exhaustive show spanning checkerboard-patterned denim to a sophisticated cream evening jacket. The line, marked by photo prints of the Pont Neuf and a uniquely designed coat with a shaved monogram motif, also underscored his flair for distinct aesthetics.

As the show drew to a close, an emotional Williams emerged to take a bow, wiping away tears and pointing skyward in a heartfelt thank you. The applause that followed was a thunderous affirmation of the musician’s successful transition into the realm of luxury fashion.

RankTribe™ Black Business Directory News – Arts & Entertainment

Pharrell Williams’ Louis Vuitton Men’s Debut Was a Star-Packed Celebration

Louis Vuitton’s men’s spring 2024 show has become, without a doubt, one of the most talked-about events of men’s fashion week. It’s no surprise either—this is the very first show from the newly named creative director Pharrell Williams, the multitalented record producer, rapper, singer, songwriter, and designer.

As the successor to Virgil Abloh, many have been vocal about Williams’s appointment at Louis Vuitton since it was announced in February—either enthusiastically awaiting his work, or rallying behind the names in fashion they wished had gotten the opportunity instead. But this is hardly the first time Williams has been involved with fashion: in 2004, he co-designed a line of eyewear with Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton, followed by a 2008 jewelry project with the megahouse. Next came collaborations designed in partnership with Adidas, Moncler, and Chanel, including a capsule collection he created alongside the late creative director Karl Lagerfeld in 2019. He also cofounded Billionaire Boys Club with Nigo in 2003. All that aside, Williams’s appointment marks the first time a figure from the world of music has taken on such a high-profile role in fashion.

Here’s everything you need to know about Louis Vuitton’s men’s spring 2024 show, which took place outdoors, on Pont Neuf bridge in Paris on June 20.

Damier Is Back

Days before the show, Williams debuted his first Louis Vuitton campaign as creative director, featuring a pregnant Rihanna wielding armfuls of Speedy bags, silver chains, and an undone button-down covered in shadowed checkerboard print. The look spoke volumes, especially for LV devotees. ​​Damier—the brand’s version of checkerboard print first introduced in 1889—is back, with Williams using the pattern in radical new ways. It covered the Pont Neuf bridge in a blanket of pillow-y, pale yellow carpeting that served as the runway. But it was also seen on jean jackets, longline coats, slouchy soft suits, and in hues of bright yellow, brilliant blue, navy, and deep green.

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

A model on the runway at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Collection Fashion Show on June 20, 2023 in Pari...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Accessories Were Everything

Williams has made it clear that the accessories are as important as the clothing here. Matthew Henson styled the show with embossed backpacks, little round sunglasses, chunky black beanies, structured logo berets, camo square sunglasses, and cargo pocket bags—while multiple open-air golf carts drove the length of the runway with the brand’s signature luggage trunks on their flatbeds. Williams obviously has an eye for details, with little chunky scrunched socks that recalled a kawaii ’90s Fruits magazine vibe. Aside from that, even the clothing was accessorized: with beaded crystal coats; shimmering, ladylike, embroidered suits; pearl chains; necklaces, and even pearl-trimmed sweatsuits. Models held multiple bags at once; gold top-handle trunks, Speedies nestled in the crooks of their arms. They were also decked out in rolled-up blankets and flowing trapper hats. Williams was looking to dandy culture as inspiration, citing “the attitude of the dandy… a loosely autobiographical tailored silhouette adapted in a contemporary approach to suiting and encrusted with pearls and crystals,” in the show notes.

Photo by Dominique Charriau/WireImage

A model,details, walks the runway during the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part ...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Photo by Dominique Charriau/WireImage

A model, detail, walks the runway during the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part ...

Photo by STEFANO RELLANDINI/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents creations for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Par...

Camo Is Here to Stay

Aptly titled “Damouflage” by Williams, this new print is a combination of Damier and classic camouflage—slightly pixelated and a bit distressed. The pattern was a focus of the collection, with Williams taking his final bow in yet another version of it. A few of the Damouflage moments that opened the show were splashed onto utilitarian-style rain boots, a laser-cut trench coat. and crossbody bags and trunks. The look was truly everywhere, and was very distinctly Pharrell.

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Meet the New Lover Logo

There were many playful motifs within this collection, including blue jeans embroidered with designs from Black artist Henry Taylor. Also on display: a new take on the classic Louis Vuitton logo splashed across leather bomber jackets that combined the classic “LV” monogram with the word “lovers.” “LVers is a state of mind: warmth, well being and welcome-ness. It is the culture of a global community connected by an appreciation for the core values of the maison,” read the show notes. The collection was also co-ed, with a few female models sprinkled here and there, wearing striped leather rugby polos and slouchy, soft suits. Overall, Williams brought an eclectic sense of youthfulness, filtering the Louis Vuitton brand codes through his own personal style lens. “I am a creative designer from the perspective of the consumer,” he told The New York Times ahead of the show. “I didn’t go to Central Saint Martins. But I definitely went in the stores and purchased, and I know what I like.”

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

A model on the runway at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Collection Fashion Show on June 20, 2023 in Pari...

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

A model on the runway at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Collection Fashion Show on June 20, 2023 in Pari...

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

A model on the runway at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Collection Fashion Show on June 20, 2023 in Pari...

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

A model on the runway at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Collection Fashion Show on June 20, 2023 in Pari...

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

A model on the runway at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Collection Fashion Show on June 20, 2023 in Pari...

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

A model on the runway at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Collection Fashion Show on June 20, 2023 in Pari...

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

A model on the runway at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Collection Fashion Show on June 20, 2023 in Pari...

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

A model on the runway at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Collection Fashion Show on June 20, 2023 in Pari...

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

A model on the runway at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Collection Fashion Show on June 20, 2023 in Pari...

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

A model on the runway at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Collection Fashion Show on June 20, 2023 in Pari...

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

A model on the runway at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Collection Fashion Show on June 20, 2023 in Pari...

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

A model on the runway at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Collection Fashion Show on June 20, 2023 in Pari...

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

A model on the runway at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Collection Fashion Show on June 20, 2023 in Pari...

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

A model on the runway at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Collection Fashion Show on June 20, 2023 in Pari...

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

A model on the runway at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Collection Fashion Show on June 20, 2023 in Pari...

Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images

A model on the runway at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Collection Fashion Show on June 20, 2023 in Pari...

Photo by Dominique Charriau/WireImage

A model,details, walks the runway during the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part ...

Photo by Dominique Charriau/WireImage

A model walks the runway during the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris ...

Photo by Dominique Charriau/WireImage

A model walks the runway during the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris ...

Photo by Dominique Charriau/WireImage

A model walks the runway during the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris ...

Photo by Dominique Charriau/WireImage

A model walks the runway during the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris ...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

A model presents a creation for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Pa...

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

Models present creations for the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring-Summer 2024 show as part of the Paris...

The Show Was a Celebration

Throughout the presentation, new Williams-produced songs including “Joy (Unspeakable)” were performed by the Virginia-based gospel choir Voices of Fire. “Chains & Whips” by Clipse—whose members, Pusha T and No Malice, walked the runway—and a track titled “Peace Be Still”, featuring piano played by Lang Lang were also performed live. Instead of taking a traditional final walk, the models came out in one large group followed by Williams, wearing his own Damouflage creation and wiping tears from his face. Next came his team at Louis Vuitton, who embraced their new creative director, clapped, and sang along with the choir. Both Jay Z and Rihanna gave a standing ovation—and the former gave an exclusive performance after the show. Naomi Cambell wore a custom monogrammed leather bra and mini skirt with big zippers. Overall, the finale cemented an emotional and positive debut from a bright cultural force.

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

US Louis Vuitton' fashion designer and singer Pharrell Williams acknowledges the audience at the end...

Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images

Louis Vuitton Men's Creative Director Pharrell Williams acknowledges the applause of the audience af...

Photo by Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

Jay Z and Beyoncé attend the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion...

Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images

Artist Shawn Corey Carter aka Jay-Z performs during a free show on the Pont Neuf after the Louis Vui...

Photo by Victor Boyko/Getty Images for Louis Vuitton

British supermodel and singer Naomi Campbell poses for a photocall at the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spr...

Photo by Victor Boyko/Getty Images for Louis Vuitton

Zendaya attends the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on ...

Photo by Antoine Flament/Getty Images

Kim Kardashian attends the Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion W...

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