When Tiffany & Co. announced the Tiffany Titan by Pharrell Williams collection back in May, it somehow didn’t feel quite... well, Williams in essence. Don’t be mistaken—the first drop was a brilliant display of ingenuity in jewellery design. The spear-shaped links feel like a fitting update to gold chains popularised by rappers since the ’80s, and Williams conceptualising an iteration of that under a brand like Tiffany is historic. Yet, something felt amiss.
Williams is a true multi-hyphenate. He’s a Grammy-winning musician and producer, a designer, a co-founder of streetwear brand Billionaire Boys Club and its sub-labels, and, of course, the men’s creative director for Louis Vuitton. But beyond that, Williams is a fashion icon in his own standing with a sense of style that often precedes him. The man knows a thing or two about accessorising and is hardly seen without a necklace or two. But what has always been somewhat of a mainstay is his penchant for pearls. Whether it’s a simple string of nacre or multi-layered like a statement Chanel piece, Williams dons them nonchalantly.
The latest drop of Tiffany Titan by Pharrell Williams is, in comparison, more Williams than its debut with the introduction of freshwater pearls. And, let’s not forget, diamonds.
“The inspiration of the collection comes from my affinity with water; andthenameofthecollection,‘Titan’, draws influence from Poseidon, ruler of the sea, King of Atlantis. ‘Atlantis’ is also the name of the community where I grew up in Virginia Beach,” Williams explains. “In Japan, it was believed that pearls were created from the tears of mythical water creatures; so I naturally gravitated towards them as a means of expressing this connection to water.”
High-lustre freshwater pearls of over 11mm adorn every piece, imbuing both sophistication and added refinement to the collection. By the size of the pearls alone, there’s no denying that these latest designs are meant to make statements. Even at its simplest—a pendant featuring a single orb seemingly pierced through with the collection’s spear-shaped motif lined with diamonds and on an adjustable gold chain—the eyes would instantly be drawn to the jewellery.
There’s no mistaking that pearls are the centrepiece. In place of the spear-shaped links, the collection’s bracelet and necklace consist of alternating pearls with gold spike rondelles; a trio of spear-shaped links act as the clasp on each piece with the middle on set with diamonds.
“With this new design, it’s almost like a harmonious juxtaposition. They contrast each other...the spear is bold and fearless, and the pearls are soft and precious, but they fit perfectly together. They almost look as if they are protecting each other,” says Williams. You could say the same of Williams—a man of constant juxtaposition across different disciplines and personal style. And just like he said, this iteration fits perfectly.
The second drop of the Tiffany Titan by Pharrell Williams collection is now available in Tiffany & Co. boutiques and online.
Straight out of the '80s, the Ray-Ban Wings sunglasses were favoured by pilots due to the look and quality. The brand has since brought back the style in a number of iterations, with this latest one being a combination of the original and the Wings II. It maintains the squarish frame of the latter with an elongated taper that extends slightly towards the sides for more coverage. The brow bar remains a key fixture, making the style ever-enduring.
Pharrell Williams has a penchant for softness in Louis Vuitton’s bags. His Soul Trunk East West bag is a new supple take on the Maison’s trunk-making heritage; featuring reinforced corners and a duo of straps for maximum versatility of wear. The main compartment is secured with a zipper but there’s also a magnetic closure (fashioned to look like a trunk’s clasp) for quick reach into the interior while keeping the bag closed.
The sleek appearance of the second-generation EVOA Z is a Trojan horse for the top-tier functionality that the Samsonite luggage is known for. Some of the nifty design elements: a small but mighty hanging hook is integrated right below the pull handles to hang light items, zipper pullers are fixed with magnets so that they bind together to prevent theft, and the wheels glide with maximum smoothness and manoeuvrability.
The signature embroidered Pony logo of Polo Ralph Lauren makes for a subtle statement. It calls to mind the preppy aesthetic steeped in the brand’s history. Created using precisely 982 individual stitches, the logo sits front and centre on this BetterCotton twill cap. We don’t have to tell you just how indispensable a good cap is but just know that with this particular piece, the pairings are almost limitless.
Listen, we get that the Dyson Zone headphones (you know, the one with the air purifier attachment) seemed like a joke. And to be fair, perhaps Dyson knew that too. The brand’s latest audio device removes the extraneous feature and focuses solely on the audio quality and ANC. What we got: the Dyson OnTrac that's customisable wth a range of colours for its caps and cushions.
The Reverso is a revolutionary icon that stood the test of time. This latest iteration is a throwback to earlier models including a classic chemin de fer, applied hour markers and dauphine hands. Both sides of the timepiece feature a sunray dial—one lacquered in blue and the other in silver—for a classically elegant look whichever way you choose to turn to.
The Zegna Triple Stitch is a definite winner in our books. Already traipsing the line between casual and dressy, the brand takes it up a notch with an iteration that is tailored for more outdoor pursuits. The Triple Stitch Monte (Italian for “mount”) is fitted with Vibram soles for increased traction, all the while retaining the look and silhouette of the original.
For better or worse, the Dior Sauvage has quite the reputation—you either love it or don’t quite fancy it. The Dior Sauvage Eau Forte however, would easily satisfy both camps. The essence of Sauvage is still present but reimagined in an alcohol-free formula that’s light and fresh while having the intensity of a parfum. In other words, you probably won’t be assaulting anyone’s nose with this.
The distinctive Bone ring, a reincarnation of Elsa Peretti’s iconic 1970 Bone cuff design, has to be experienced first-hand to be appreciated. Its sinewy contours make for a subtle statement, but it is also sculpted to conform to one’s finger or knuckle. There is no restriction of motion despite its size and fits comfortably like second skin.
Everyone needs a throw-all duffel in their arsenal. This collaboration piece between Montblanc and football legend Zinédine Zidane runs high on the list of the perfect duffels. For starters, it’s incredibly roomy yet lightweight at the same time. The inside is thoughtfully designed with organisation compartments and loops, and of course, the exterior is as handsome as they come with Montblanc’s subtle Extreme 3.0 motif.
Photography: Jaya Khidir
Styling: Asri Jasman
Photography Assistants: Aliy Alam and Nowo Kasturi
Elsa Peretti never dreamed of having castles in the sky, nor did she wish for money to grow on trees. Despite coming from wealth, the Italian model-turned-designer found herself financially cut off at 21 and had to work her way up. She supported herself by teaching Italian and skiing before deciding to try her hand at modelling, which led her to New York. There, new opportunities unfolded allowing her to showcase her talents.
Peretti began creating pieces for American fashion designer Halston and even had the opportunity to wear them on his runway. Halston later introduced her to Tiffany & Co., and whether it was luck or her undeniable talent, it only took 15 minutes for her to be hired. And five decades later, her work remains iconic and celebrated.
To mark the 50th anniversary of Peretti's icon, the House launched the Bone cuff as part of its "With love, Since 1837" campaign. Reintroduced earlier this year, the campaign celebrates the love, craftmanship and rich heritage that defines Tiffany & Co. and is inspired by legendary window designer Gene Moore. It sheds light on the untold stories behind Tiffany's most iconic jewellery collections while modernising Moore's famous vitrines with imaginative storytelling.
The "With love, Since 1837" campaign imagery draws inspiration from Moore's whimsical window displays, merging the extraordinary with the ordinary. The Bone cuff imagery, specifically, nods to Peretti's cultural impact in fashion as well as design. A floating hand gesturing upward references her signature modelling poses, and a ladybug perched on the index finger, pays tribute to the famed Bone cuff advertisement shot by Hiro, Peretti's close friend and photographer.
The Bone cuff remains as modern and timeless as ever with its sensual, sculptural form. The design is carefully sculpted to fit the contours of both the left and right wrists to allow for the cuff to seamlessly blend with the body. It has since been adapted into a number of other designs, bearing in mind the same design intent.
Like the Bone cuff, the Bone ring showcases Peretti's talent to transform simple forms into symbols of beauty and elegance. The Split ring adds a subtle edge with its central split while still retaining every bit of Peretti's Bone cuff curvatures.
Few designs stand the test of time, but Peretti's jewellery continue to captivate with enduring style and beauty.
The Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff by Elsa Peretti collection is now available in stores and online.
ESQUIRE: When I think about your collaboration with Tiffany & Co., the first thing that comes to mind is the heart-shaped sunglasses that Alexandre Arnault posted on Instagram. You revealed those sunglasses last June saying, “You would know that I’m engaged to Tiffany. This is just the start of the many things we’ll be doing together.”
PHARRELL WILLIAMS: Those sunglasses are special. Generally, jewellery and accessories are must-have items in my style. That’s why I really enjoyed the process of working on that project. Thanks to the love those sunglasses got, we were more excited to release Tiffany’s new Titan collection. I’m close friends with Alexandre Arnault. So, getting the opportunity to create the Titan collection with Tiffany was an honour, and I’m thankful for it.
ESQ: What did you want to express with the designs at Tiffany, and was there anyone or any incident that inspired that?
PW: I’m very inspired by water. The design of this collection and the name “Titan” were inspired by Poseidon, who is the king of Atlantis (a fictional city under the sea) and the ruler of the sea. “Atlantis” is also the name of an area in Virginia Beach where I grew up. Also, titanium was named after “Titan”, and you can call it “titan” for short. It is also a name that emphasises our use of black titanium, which we used in this collection to physically embody the beauty of the colour black.
ESQ: I think it was a great idea to pair yellow gold with black titanium, and it felt fresh to me.
PW: [The reason for that was] because it is different from tradition, and something unheard of. We wanted to make something beautiful yet different at the same time with this collection.
ESQ: You’ve even mentioned that “jewellery is the punctuation mark of a person”.
PW: Jewellery makes a person. We even remember a person by their jewellery. I can never forget the ring that Slick Rick wore a long time ago. I remember trying to look for the same ring he wore.
ESQ: There was a dinner party hosted in New York to mark the launch of Tiffany’s Titan collection. Please tell us more details about that party.
PW: I was really happy that my friends and family came and supported me. That was the first time I saw other people wearing pieces from this collection. I was able to give life to this collection while working very closely with Tiffany’s in-house design team, and it’s such an honour to lead Tiffany into a new generation. It was at the New York flagship store (which looks down into Central Park). Launching the collection there made it feel like everyone came back and got together in their hometown.
ESQ: There was a Tiffany Wonder party in Tokyo recently.
PW: Firstly, I love Tokyo. It’s one of the cities I love, and the food is amazing. It was great to be able to celebrate 187 years of Tiffany in Tokyo.
ESQ: How would you describe the style of this collection in one word? And tell us why.
PW: People. That’s because everything I create is for the people. It doesn’t matter what your gender, race, ethnic group, or anything else are. I hope people of different classes can wear this collection.
ESQ: I recently checked out your collection “Son of a Pharaoh” which you put up for auction on the auction site JOOPITER, which was launched a few years ago. Everything was great, but the BBC Varsity Jacket was especially interesting. It was an item that expressed a politically correct message in a very cool way.
PW: I really love that jacket. Women are our future. I think it’s important to use one’s art or platform to spread love and talk about injustices. Ultimately, it’s because we are all people. I’ll also be launching a very interesting auction on JOOPITER this coming autumn during Frieze Seoul. I don’t want to say much about it now, but I’ll be revealing more details soon, so look out for it.
ESQ: You’ve been active for over 30 years. How have you been able to stay on the front lines of trends for such a long time?
PW: That’s an interesting point. It’s because I’ve never put in much effort into trying to stay afloat of the trends. I just do what I think is right. I’m also lucky to have worked with interesting people from designers to artists, musicians, and all sorts of other geniuses. I’m learning from them every day.
ESQ: I’m curious as to how you would differentiate something good from something bad.
PW: We can never know what is good, or what people can relate to. You just have to feel that it’s right. Whenever I’m creating something original, or whenever I’m pushing myself to do something that nobody else has done before, that’s when I create "something good". Nobody might like what I created, but we have to be prepared for that!
ESQ: Have you ever thought about how you make that distinction? For example, when I asked you earlier “What is good?”, you could either prioritise your personal preference when doing music or fashion, or you could consider the preference of the consumer.
PW: I try to look through the consumer’s point of view as much as I can, because I’m also a consumer. I think about how I can make it practical, or how the final piece can improve my life or help me live a better life. That’s the criteria I use when making decisions.
ESQ: What do you ultimately consider to be “good”?
PW: “Good” is such an interesting word. Why do we not say “great”? But at the same time, there isn’t a singular definition of “good”. Something might be “good” but might not change your life. Or “good” could be just a feeling. But if you don’t have true passion or sincerity, or if you’re trying hard to get “something good” without knowing why you’re doing it, then that attempt will fail. What sets you apart from others is what makes you special.
ESQ: What does creativity mean to a creative director?
PW: I have three roles. The first is to be a student, the second is to share the code, and most importantly, the third is to help others. Every season, we have to start from the beginning and expand the codes, which are the elegant tailoring, comfort, resortwear vibe, the basics, and of course the dandy. At the head of it, my role is to give energy (to the people I’m working with). But if I’m not able to create something charming, none of these have any meaning. I speak through my vision and through the amazing talents at our Maison.
ESQ: In a previous interview with Vogue, you described a creative director as a “love movement” and someone who “commands 2,500 soldiers”. I know that The Love Movement is also your favourite album by A Tribe Called Quest, but to be honest, I don’t understand that figure of speech.
PW: “Love Movement” or “LVers” for short was inspired by the slogan of my hometown Virginia, which goes “Virginia is for Lovers”. The work that our team at the Maison and I do is one part of the strong “LVers” community that we created, and at the same time it’s for the community. The reason I likened it to commanding solders, is because I lead 55 departments and 2,500 skilled artisans at our Maison. It means that my role in this place is to lead and direct. Our work has to be in harmony, and my role is to make sure everyone moves as one. And the basis of all our work is love.
ESQ: How did the slogan “Virginia is for Lovers” come about?
PW: I think it started from an ad or a billboard inviting people to come to Virginia for their honeymoon. But the slogan is true. There are all types of love in Virginia. It’s full of communities and families everywhere.
ESQ: Hearing that reminds me of the Princess Anne High School Varsity Jacket that you put up for auction. It’s clear that it’s an important piece that explains your identity.
PW: Princess Anne High School is the name of the high school I went to in Virginia Beach! I really love that place, and it’s a place that has a lot of good memories. Coming from Virginia is very important to me and to who I am now. Whenever I have the chance to show that Virginia holds a special place in my heart either by representing or mentioning the place, I’ll take it. Creating the Princess Anne High School jacket was a tribute to my hometown.
ESQ: For someone who has only lived in Korea, it’s hard to picture Virginia as clearly as I can picture New York or LA. What kind of place is it?
PW: It’s a really cool place, and it’s my pride. People might underrate us, but you cannot find the history or the culture we have in Virginia state anywhere else! I love being close to the water and get a lot of inspiration from water. Being close to the water helps me feel safe.
ESQ: You really love Virginia. What about making Pharrell’s Virginia, just like Donald Glover’s Atlanta series?
PW: That’s an interesting thought. But I’m not sure if Virginians would want a show created about them. If you want to watch a cool programme about Virginia or want to hear about the lives of people in Virginia, there is a documentary series called Voices of Fire about Virginia’s choir group with the same name. It’s amazing how much talent they have. The choir is led by my uncle Bishop Ezekiel Williams, who is an inspiration to many people, and you can catch it on Netflix.
ESQ: As someone who loves honky-tonk, the Louis Vuitton Autumn/Winter 2024 show was very impressive. I’m curious about the reason why you interpreted Western American outfits in the collection.
PW: I wanted to reference my personal journey from my hometown of Virginia to Paris. I also wanted to tell the story of Western America, which is also the origin of workwear. Workwear evolved from denim which the first cowboys wore. I wanted to tell the story about this inherent history and express the origin and evolution. The story is told as is in the code of this collection. I’m very proud of that collection. From the buckles to the engravings, we didn’t miss a single detail. Simply put, we elevated every element you can think of up a notch.
ESQ: Will you consider interpreting American kung fu culture from the '70s and '80s in future works? I think it would suit you well.
PW: Kung fu and martial arts in general are very interesting. It’s a sport that requires a lot of strength, agility and patience. It’s almost like dancing. This sport is a type of art. It’s something I could consider!
ESQ: What do you think is your greatest asset right now?
PW: I will forever be a student. I love learning from others, and I get inspired by others every day.
ESQ: It’s interesting that you said “student”. What kind of student are you?
PW: I’m a student who observes well and asks a lot of questions. I want to know what happened here and there. I’m curious about how something I’m seeing is being made and why it’s made. We need to keep having curiosity. It’s the best way to learn about ourselves and the world around us.
ESQ: Is there a personal treasure that you’ll never put up for auction no matter what?
PW: There are so many! You mentioned the Tiffany heart-shaped sunglasses at the beginning of this interview. I will never put that up for auction, because it marked the beginning of my beautiful relationship with Tiffany.
Photography: Hyea W. Kang
Fashion Editor: Yun Wonghee
Styling: Matthew Henson
Grooming: Johnny “Cake” Castellanos at H.Q.E
Tailor: Alice Chastel Mazin
Production: Bae Woori
Art Designer: Kim Daesup
Styling Assistant: Marine Gabaut
Translation: Astrid Ja’afarino
Animation: Joan Tai
Pharrell Williams is renowned as a visionary whose creativity transcends music, art, and fashion, solidifying his global cultural icon status over two decades. His boundary-breaking efforts across diverse realms underscore the level of innovation, pioneering spirit, and entrepreneurship he embodies.
Given Williams' stature and influence, it's unsurprising that he has a track record of collaborations with other fashion houses under LVMH and beyond. Notably, he showcased a pair of custom Tiffany & Co. sunglasses while attending Kenzo's Autumn/Winter 2022 runway show. Crafted from 18k gold and embellished with 61 diamonds totalling 25 carats, along with two emerald-cut emeralds, the sunglasses unknowingly became a teaser to Williams' partnership with Tiffany & Co..
An official collaboration between Tiffany & Co. and Williams became inevitable. The Tiffany Titan Collection by Pharrell Williams showcases a remarkable fusion of ancient mythos and modern aesthetics, symbolising vitality, strength, and unwavering resolve.
“I’m very inspired by water, and the name of this collection “Titan” draws inspiration from Poseidon, ruler of the sea, King of Atlantis—“Atlantis” which is also the name of the community I grew up in Virginia Beach. The detail in all of the jewellery pieces is very intentional, the use of black titanium…it’s a physical manifestation of beauty in blackness,” explains Williams.
Featuring 19 unique styles—12 in recycled 18k yellow gold and seven in titanium—this collection comprises of an array of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings. Each design harmoniously merges luxury with creativity, encouraging wearers to confidently express themselves.
The pieces adopt the structure of the trident with its angular spear-shaped motif. A symbol of unconstrained individualism, the motif is juxtaposed by a uniquely shaped link that juxtaposes the sharpness of the spear, portraying a dialogue between tensions, proportions and balance.
The pavé pieces are set with fishtail and reverse-set diamonds, strategically placed to catch light from all angles so that the brilliance of every facet is amplified. Meanwhile, titanium accents undergo a molecular process, resulting in a striking deep black hue that enhances the yellow gold features of a range of pieces for a more graphic proposal.
The attention to detail is undoubtedly meticulous. The clasps on the necklaces and bracelets seamlessly integrate with the trident motif for a flawless, uninterrupted look. Adding a dynamic touch, the pendants, earrings, and rings boast rotating elements designed to move with the wearer—another example of Tiffany & Co.'s unexpected inventiveness, much like its collaborator's.
Tiffany Titan by Pharrell Williams will be available this May exclusively on Tiffany.com in the US and at The Landmark in New York City. The collection will be available globally at Tiffany & Co. stores and Tiffany.com in June.
