Ten things pharrell taught me at vogue forces of fashion
Gallerist Nicole Vassell keeps the questions coming for Pharrell; Photo: Natasha Anderson for Natasha Knows
Pharrell, Skateboard P, (P)enjamin Button, the names are endless for the multi-hyphen innovator who’s embarking many new chapters of his life. He’s counting down his 50th solar return, recently launched Joopiter, an online auction platform, and his BLACK AMBITION fund continues to see growth and support (Chanel, Adidas, to name a few) in funding Black and LatinX entrepreneurs. All of this is happening as he continues to drop heat in the music world as both producer and musician. Let’s face it, this man has lived more lives than a telenovela character that never gets written out of the script.
So it’s no surprise that he’s chock full of countless gems on the industry, humanity, and of course his flawless morning skin care routine. I recently had the privilege of watching his panel at the Vogue Forces of Fashion New York event, and it’s safe to say he didn’t disappoint. Here are a few key takeaways that stuck with me:
💎 1. START WITH ZERO AND A QUESTION MARK
Pharrell admits that while some of his best ideas have come in the shower, he doesn’t truly prepare or overthink his creative process. Instead, he chooses to start from ground zero and remain open to the possibilities ahead.
💎 2. YOU HAVE TO LET THINGS GO IN ORDER TO GET LIGHTER
“Not only in weight but in brightness, you have to let things go so you can ascend and go to the next level.” The artist shares that he’s transcending in life, and for that reason, it’s out with the old [energy] and in with the new. This brings me to this next point -
💎 3. HE DOESN’T DESIGN TO PROVE
The musician recalls writing his first song thirty years ago, to a time when his lyrics were super braggadocious. “I felt I had something to prove…I don’t feel that way anymore.” Spoken like a modern-day guru he adds, “I’m in my present looking back at my past knowing what I’m doing for the future.” (Try saying that five times fast!)
WATCH: Pharrell shares how and why he’s focused on becoming “lighter”
💎 4. BE PRESENT TO THE CREATIVE INSPIRATION AROUND YOU
“The really magical stuff comes when you’re not asking and when you’re not looking - you’re just BEING and you’re listening!” Once you’ve tapped, you’re ready to start with zero and a question mark (see Takeaway #1)
💎 5. EVERYDAY PEOPLE POSSESS SOME OF THE BEST STYLE
P acknowledges that he’s inspired by the street style of pedestrians, from trucker hats to the maintenance man’s boots “...they have such great style because it’s perfunctory and they’re not thinking about it.” No words have rung truer from the man who literally had the internet in a chokehold, and “mountie man memes” during his iconic Grammy-winning Westwood Buffalo Hat moment.
💎 6. THE ‘HOOD IS THE BLUEPRINT - GOOD, BAD, AND INDIFFERENT
The “Happy” singer notes that concepts like Lyft and Uber have been in the hood for years, and describes them as “exercises for a culture, a demographic to figure out how to get around in life, how to survive at a time when they might not have been able to afford a car or somewhere to stay.” This is exactly why Takeaway #7 is so vital.
Pharrell meets Natasha Knows.
Selfies are still in style right? 💎 7. STRATEGIC ALLIANCES MATTER
Pharrell encourages us to have the confidence and the courage to go out and fight for our ideas, but also to understand the importance of support and the right kind of mentorship. “We are seeing more black designers than ever because people are seeing that the more you support them, then it becomes popular.”
💎 8. GOOD STYLE IS INTELLECTUAL, IN SPITE OF WHAT THE INTERNET TELLS YOU
”We’re seeing so much bad taste…people who have really good style seem like unicorns walking down the street.” This he attributes to having the taste to know what to buy as opposed to just having money to buy things. Simply put, having a set of values and ethical intelligence in spending.
💎 9. YOUR PHONE IS LYING TO YOU
The algorithms are telling everybody yes to everything, whatever you want you’re getting more of. You’re used to getting what you want. The phone has gamified every moment of your experience with it, so much so that if you think that you’re right then you think you’re always right with everything else. The same could be said if you think you’re wrong all the time. He encourages us to be willing to have “agency within ourselves and confidence to just be.”
💎 10. ROLLS ROYCE IS STILL THE SMOOTHEST DRIVE
While he continues to lighten his load, the man likes what he likes. Quality, style, and a smooth ride. Life is an experience, stay true to the things that bring you joy!