Hitmaker, fashion icon, visionary — Pharrell Williams seems to have mastered the art of reinvention. After topping charts with global anthems like Get Lucky and Happy, and leaving his mark on fashion through creative collaborations, notably with Louis Vuitton, Pharrell now steps boldly into the contemporary art world as the curator of Femmes, an exhibition currently on view at the renowned Perrotin Gallery in Paris.

Copyright Pharell Williams

The opening night, on March 19th, felt like the place to be — an electric mix of artists, musicians, and trendsetters. Aya Nakamura, rapper Oli, street artist JR, and filmmaker Ladj Ly were just a few of the familiar faces spotted among the crowd that gathered in the Hôtel Particulier on rue de Turenne, the gallery’s elegant home.

A Passion Project Years in the Making

Pharrell’s love affair with art isn’t new. Nearly two decades ago, he teamed up with Emmanuel Perrotin for the Perspectives chair series (2008), a project that laid the foundation for a lasting creative relationship. Now, with Femmes, Pharrell takes on the role of curator, shining a well-deserved spotlight on 40 contemporary artists of African descent — most of them women — whose work captures a range of perspectives, emotions, and identities.

The exhibition is open free of charge for a few weeks, and given the buzz, don’t be surprised to find long lines forming outside the gallery. Inside, visitors are invited into a world where diversity is not just highlighted, but celebrated, where each piece tells a story, and where Pharrell’s curatorial eye brings together voices that have long deserved center stage.

Whether in music, fashion, or art, Pharrell has a knack for elevating everything he touches. With Femmes, he once again proves that creativity knows no boundaries.