Pharrell in Hong Kong: 4 times he visited the city ahead of his Louis Vuitton pre-fall menswear show, from Chanel’s exhibition to Joopiter’s high jewellery auction during Art Basel

Nov 23 , 2023

Pharrell Williams is launching his first pre-fall Louis Vuittion collection in Hong Kong. Photo: @louisvuitton/Instagram

Following his debut at Paris Fashion Week in June, Louis Vuitton’s new creative director Pharrell Williams is poised to bring the fashion maison’s first men’s pre-fall collection to Hong Kong on November 30.

But this highly anticipated event won’t be the first time Williams has brought his works to the city. He has visited Hong Kong several times before, to attend galas, rub shoulders with the city’s property moguls and more.

Read on for four of the musician-designer’s memorable visits to Hong Kong.

1. A Journey Through Gems auction, Art Basel, 2023

Pharrell Williams with high jewellery designer Lorraine Schwartz. Photo: @lorraineschwartz/Instagram

Williams was in Hong Kong just earlier this year during Art Basel.

In March, Joopiter, the auction platform that Williams launched, held a private preview of its first high jewellery auction A Journey Through Gems in Hong Kong.

Pharrell Williams was in Hong Kong in March for the Joopiter auction. Photo: @joopiterofficial/Instagram

The auction was in collaboration with bespoke American jewellery designer Lorraine Schwartz and featured pieces worn by Taylor Swift, Angelina Jolie and Beyoncé in addition to several high jewellery pieces created or commissioned by Williams.

2. K11 Artus pre-launch unveiling, 2019

Pharrell Williams with Hong Kong property tycoon Adrian Cheng (left). Photo: Getty Images

Williams rubbed shoulders with Hong Kong’s glitterati when he attended the pre-launch unveiling of K11 Artus, the city’s first luxury residence, in 2019.

At the event, Williams was seen mingling with Hong Kong property mogul Adrian Cheng. Cheng is the CEO of New World Development, a property behemoth in the city, and the owner of Rosewood Hong Kong. He is also heir to the Chow Tai Fook jewellery empire.

3. Amfar Gala Dinner, 2019

Pharrell Williams was invited to the Amfar gala in Hong Kong, in 2019. Photo: Getty Images

In 2019, Hong Kong played host to the Amfar gala dinner, which is dedicated to advancing Aids research.

Held at Rosewood Hong Kong, the gala was attended by the “Happy” singer along with personalities like Michelle Yeoh and Heidi Klum.

Williams was invited to present the Amfar Award of Courage to Cheng, recognising his contributions towards the battle against HIV and Aids.

The grand affair raised an impressive sum of more than US$2.75 million.

4. Chanel’s “Mademoiselle Privé” exhibition, 2018

Pharrell Williams and his wife, designer Helen Lasichanh. Photo: Getty Images

After stops in London and Seoul, Chanel’s “Mademoiselle Privé” exhibition arrived in Hong Kong in 2018. Alongside Williams, those in attendance included his wife, fashion designer Helen Lasichanh, Chanel’s fashion president Bruno Pavlovsky, and model Kaia Gerber.

Louis Vuitton

In March, Pharrell Williams spearheaded the A Journey Through Gems auction with American jewellery designer Lorraine Schwartz, featuring pieces worn by Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Angelina Jolie
Williams also attended the pre-launch of K11 Artus, Hong Kong’s first luxury residence, in 2019, where he rubbed shoulders with property mogul Adrian Cheng, owner of the Rosewood Hong Kong