GQ: Which was the first pair of trainers you ever bought?
Pharrell Williams: I am not making this up but golden adidas Laker low top Instincts. I was 16 and worked a whole summer at McDonald’s to buy those shoes on sale.
How does your style evolve as you get older?
Every three to six months, the silhouette changes but there’s a staple piece in the mix. Sometimes I say I’d never wear something again and then a designer makes a version of that piece and I’m back to wearing it.
Your favourite designers?
It’s a long list. Comme des Garçons. Nigo from Japanese label Human Made. Demna Gvasalia. Hedi Slimane is really talented. Phoebe Philo is a genius. Chitose Abe from Sacai is amazing. I love what Moncler do – one of my first collabs was with them. And, of course, Chanel.
What does style mean to you?
Style is essentially the by-product of what you are thinking and what you are feeling. You express yourself every time you put on something. Even if it’s the same thing every day.
How long do you take to get ready?
20 minutes but it takes longer in the shower for me. I’m a long shower guy. But I also ideate in the shower. My showers are more cerebral and imaginative than they are about cleansing. Cleansing is like the last five minutes.
What sparked the new collection?
We’re always trying to use our platform to give volume and visibility to different voices from different cultures and their aesthetic. You know? I thought if I’m the face of a brand, why not make humanity the face. Exploring different people from different places, from different diasporas. And so Holi was an amazing opportunity to make that happen. For me, people from Africa, which is all different colours and people from India, which is all different colours, are the most beautiful in the world.