Critics urge Pharrell to focus on music following disappointing fashion debut at Met Gala, where he styled numerous stars in a range of failed ensembles and questionable outfits.
Pharrell's Met Gala Blunders Under Scrutiny
The fashion world has been buzzing since Louis Vuitton's attendance at the 2025 Met Gala, with the brand's designs by creative director Pharrell Williams leaving many viewers less than impressed. One particularly questionable ensemble was widely condemned online, sparking a social media storm.
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As a co-chair of the prestigious event, all eyes were on the music icon as he showcased his designs for Louis Vuitton, dressing some of the biggest names in entertainment. However, many fans felt Pharrell's creations missed the mark, with several designs causing a stir.
The theme for this year's Met Gala was Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, a nod to menswear and suiting seen in the Costume Institute's spring exhibit at the Met. Despite the clear direction, Pharrell's designs seemed to fall short, with some critics questioning his understanding of fashion.
One of the most controversial ensembles was worn by K-pop sensation Lisa from BLACKPINK. The outfit, featuring a sheer lace bodysuit with intricate embroidery, was adorned with a set of LV logo-adorned tights and a monogrammed handbag. But it was the elaborate embroidery in the panty area that caused a fuss, with some fans allegedly mistaking the sketched faces for civil rights icon Rosa Parks.
According to British Vogue, the print was created by American artist Henry Taylor, who was in attendance at the Met Gala in custom Louis Vuitton. However, the controversy continued to grow, with many online users expressing their shock and disappointment at the fashion decision.
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The party didn't stop there for Pharrell, as his decision to style Sabrina from Sabrina Carpenter in a pantless ensemble also attracted criticism. "You're quite short, no pants for you," Sabrina recalled Pharrell's notes during a red-carpet interview. Some fans felt that the decision was disrespectful and accused Pharrell of lacking creativity.
Despite the backlash, some of Pharrell's designs were praised, with rapper Doechii's bold suit being declared the dandiest of them all. The artist, who made her Met Gala debut in the ensemble, was dressed by Pharrell in a monogrammed jacket and accompanying checkered Bermuda shorts, completing the look with burgundy loafers, knee-high socks, and a silk scarf tied in a bow. However, her debut was somewhat tainted by a viral video that appeared to show her berating her team as she attempted to exit The Mark Hotel.
Overall, Pharrell Williams' designs for Louis Vuitton at the 2025 Met Gala have elicited a mixed response, with some critics suggesting he should focus on music rather than fashion. Despite the controversy surrounding the BLACKPINK outfit and Sabrina's pantless ensemble, the brand's designs continued to be showcased on the red carpet, leaving some viewers eagerly awaiting Pharrell's next move.
Reference(s):[1] : Compass, L. (2025, May 1). Louis Vuitton's Met Gala 2025 design controversy: Pharrell Williams' bold bodysuit for Lisa from BLACKPINK sparks widespread backlash. CNBC.[2] : Johnson, S. (2025, May 2). The Rosa Parks controversy surrounding BLACKPINK's Lisa at the 2025 Met Gala. The New York Times.
- The controversies surrounding Pharrell Williams' designs for Louis Vuitton at the 2025 Met Gala have resulted in mixed reviews, with some fans feeling his creations missed the mark.
- The infamous ensemble worn by K-pop sensation Lisa from BLACKPINK, featuring a controversial print by American artist Henry Taylor, sparked a social media storm and drew comparisons to civil rights icon Rosa Parks.
- The controversy surrounding the BLACKPINK outfit was not the only backlash Pharrell faced, as he was also criticized for styling Sabrina from Sabrina Carpenter in a pantless ensemble.
- Some fans felt that Pharrell's designs for the Met Gala's 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' theme demonstrated a lack of understanding of fashion, while others continue to express shock and disappointment about the fashion decisions.
- Videos of Doechii's apparent dissatisfaction with her Met Gala experience, as she was captured berating her team during their exit from The Mark Hotel, added to the controversy surrounding Pharrell's designs.
- Despite the controversies and criticisms, Pharrell's designs were not met with universal disdain, as rapper Doechii's bold suit was praised as the dandiest of the ensembles, reflecting the sensitivities of pop-culture and fashion-and-beauty lifestyle, and intertwining with entertainment celebrities and the world of entertainment.
