Pharrell Williams Inspiring Inclusion During An Era We Need It Most


“Mad ethnic right now.”

Street Cred, Photo by Mario Testino courtesy of VOGUE


A fashion mogul, musical icon and “Peace Activist,” Pharrell Williams is an influential figure who keeps the culture awed with anything he creates. With the results of the past election, Pharrell tells VOGUE he’s been inspired to take a stance in this age of hate by continuing to promote love and create #ForTheCulture. From featuring Sudanese models as the face of his Adidas Originals Tennis campaign to his latest editorial spread for VOGUE December 2017, Pharrell is on an everlasting mission to promote peace, inclusion as well as the African culture and its diaspora.


“I wanted to be surrounded by the culture, by all different walks of life of our culture, to get some light around me.” - Pharrell Williams for VOGUE

Photo by Vivianne Sassen, courtesy of The Fashionisto

When Pharrell Williams released his vibrant, retro inspired Adidas Originals campaign, streetwear publications jumped on covering the primary color infused campaign and praising Pharrell for the color-blocking motif. Conceptually, the beauty of this campaign is more than just the vibrancy of the color palette but the choice of models facing the campaign that made the imagery so vividly appealing. Shot by Vivianne Sassan, the campaign features Sudanese models Youssouf BambaNykhor PaulAly NdiayeNyamuoch Girwath, and Fallou Gueye. Strong pigmented, melanin rich skin is why the campaign was visually compelling yet only a few of these images were shared across multiple platforms. People of color have this radiance and striking presence that is so often ignored but Pharrell Williams embraces the ideology of “Black is beautiful” and it is fluidly expressed through the execution of this campaign.You can find the full campaign at The Fashionisto.

Here’s Looking At You. Photo by Mario Testino courtesy of VOGUE

If the Adidas campaign wasn’t convincing enough, Pharrell Williams recently curated an editorial story for VOGUE December 2017 – American VOGUE, mind you. With his entire cast being people of color and street inspired, it is now apparent that Pharrell is here to deliver a message and it’s “mad ethnic right now.” Featuring Dutch model Imaan Hammam, Puerto Rican model Joan Smalls, French model Aya Jones, and many other striking models of color, Pharrell pays ode to Black beauty and is inflicting the message of inclusion through this amazing body of work. The story was shot by Mario Testino and styled by the icon himself, Pharrell Williams. You can view the full Cover Story via VOGUE.

Imaan Hammam and Pharrell Williams for VOGUE, Photo by Mario Testino

As we anticipate the N.E.R.D. upcoming album, it is beyond reasonable doubt that Pharrell is here to shine light on the realities of society today while simultaneously continuing to project peace and light for the sake of inclusivity. Thank you, Pharrell, for catering to the culture during a time of despair. We need this now more than ever.