Image via Complex Original
Lead
You can't mention hip-hop and fashion in the same sentence without giving Pharrell Williams some props. It's the talented producer/singer/rapper's birthday today, and in his 38 years of life, he has taken music to new levels, while managing to break down sartorial walls. Having his own clothing line, Billionaire Boys Club, has helped shape a lot of his style, but it hasn't always been on point.
We've sifted through the years of Skateboard P's career, through the highs and lows of his fashion moments to bring you a chronological look-see into his closet—or at least a section of it. Jam to his new single, "The Game Has Changed" while you check out Style History: Pharrell from 2003 until now. And yes, there is A LOT of BBC.
2003
WHERE: "Beautiful" music video filmed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
WHEN: 2003
COMPLEX SAYS: Kicking it, real chill in his BBC tee. We can dig the simple look, no doubt. Word to Snoop's jersey, also.
2004
WHERE: CFDA & Vogue Fashion Fund Dinner
WHEN: October 14, 2004
COMPLEX SAYS: The oversized ten gallon hat is swag and compliments the gingham shirt and blazer perfectly. Nigo's motorcycle jacket isn't going unnoticed, either.
December2004
WHERE: Preview Gala Dinner for Metropolitan Museum Wild Fashion Untamed
WHEN: December 6, 2004
COMPLEX SAYS: Crazy how this looks tens times better than this. Nontheless, it's still pretty gross.
August2006
WHERE: Pharrell & Absolut Ruby Red pre-VMA bash
WHEN: August 2006
COMPLEX SAYS: So icy!
November2006
WHERE: MTV European Music Awards Copenhagen
WHEN: November 2, 2006
COMPLEX SAYS: FAIL! This is just wrong on every level. Unacceptable, Skateboard P...
20066
WHERE: "Number One" Music Video
WHEN: 2006
COMPLEX SAYS: Two of hip-hop's most stylish gents on the screen together. Your sartorial eyes haven't seen anything better.
Dec2006
WHERE: Billboard Music Awards
WHEN: December 4, 2006
COMPLEX SAYS: Hahaha! Pharrell in a pair of "bagggier than normal" jeans.
August2007
WHERE: Radar Entertainment Pepsi 500
WHEN: August 27, 2008
COMPLEX SAYS: The BBC fitted, A Bathing Ape tee, the race car jacket. Just his normal urban steez, ya know.
Dec2007
WHERE: GQ Men of the Year Event
WHEN: December 5, 2007
COMPLEX SAYS: We think it's a lot going on to the eye with the bowtie, ginghham shirt, cutaway collar, and the sweater to be considered dapper. Less is more, bro!
June2008
WHERE: Cipriani Restaurant, London
WHEN: June 20, 2008
COMPLEX SAYS: Because the cable knit cardigan is so fresh, we're going to overlook the extreme slouch in his collar and just compliment the wayfayers. A dude can never go wrong that way.
August2008
WHERE: Russian Vogue
WHEN: August 2008
COMPLEX SAYS: We have to give dude props. It's hard to remain cool with a hot model chick down your back. This also might be the reason he has his hands in his pockets, ha!
20081
WHERE: Isle Of Wight Festival
WHEN: 2008
COMPLEX SAYS: You've probably worn this look before, we know we've done it. Brand tee, washed denim, and OG Vans, FTW. This is much more acceptable than the off the wall looks he did coming up.
2008
WHERE: Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland
WHEN: 2008
COMPLEX SAYS: We didn't realize Camelot hosted N.E.R.D. concerts. Looks like P took some weird risks at Scotland’s Edge Festival, but we dig the classic Billionaire Boys Club hat and Tom Ford frames.
March2009
WHERE: Louis Vuitton Party
WHEN: March 2009
COMPLEX SAYS: At these kind of events, it's probably best to wear the brand so Pharrell did it up with the Louie V waistcoat and belt, and to stay true, added the BBC handkerchief.
December2009
WHERE: Stars and Stripes 10th Anniversary
WHEN: December 8, 2009
COMPLEX SAYS: We heard that Eminem styled Pharrell for this event. Har har.
2009
WHERE: Serpentine Summer Party at Kensington Gardens
WHEN: July 2009
COMPLEX SAYS: Being ahead of the game as usual, dude rocked a corduroy newsboy cap. And the fact that he's still normal enough to rock the same blazer (because it's that dope) twice makes him a winner.
Dec2009
WHERE: Miami
WHEN: December 3, 2009
COMPLEX SAYS: Being one of the first to rock the Louboutin men's shoes, it would've been no better way than to rock it with a simple white tee and denim.
Jan2010
WHERE: NRJ Music Awards
WHEN: January 4, 2010
COMPLEX SAYS: Always being the odd ball at events, dude was definitely the center of attention as other guys walked down the red carpet in suits, while he rocked his own Billionaire Boys Club apparel, Ralph Lauren "Suisse" Down Vest, and the crazy Nike Snowboarding Zoom Force 1 Boots.
May2010
WHERE: World Music Awards
WHEN: May 18, 2010
COMPLEX SAYS: BBC from head to toe, once again, with the denim on denim trend.
2May2010
WHERE: Met Costume Institute Gala Benefit
WHEN: May 2, 2010
COMPLEX SAYS: Partying with tons of powerhouse individuals doesn't stop Pharrell from doing his own thing. Black tie attire? That's cool, he'll just bling his bowtie out.
August2010
WHERE: Pastis New York
WHEN: August 2010
COMPLEX SAYS: Dude is rocking the BBC bandana, tee, and shorts with the Band of Outsider x Sperry Top-Sider shoe. Not a common combination (skater meets prep), but it the pink colorway helps bring things together.
September2010
WHERE: MTV Awards
WHEN: September 11, 2010
COMPLEX SAYS: If it was anyone else, we'd probably shit on him for rocking all BBC/BAPE, but Pharrell makes it look so easy. Even the "Helmet Boy" denim jeans are a nice look.
Oct2010
WHERE: Orange Rockcorps Concert
WHEN: October 6, 2010
COMPLEX SAYS: Praises to the most high, Prada! This full length camo trench from the label's Fall collection is stuuuupid amazing. Of course, he had to have it.
2010
WHERE: Soho, New York
WHEN: 2010
COMPLEX SAYS: How many dudes do you know who carry around a custom Hermès Birkin? SWAG!
20100
WHERE: "Hot N Fun" Music Video
WHEN: 2010
COMPLEX SAYS: Bahahhahahha. Hat is craze, but at least he's a risk-taker.
