Pharrell talks his new “barefoot” trainer, his vision of luxury, and trusting the universe
What do you mean by “conditioning”?
Well, the human condition is a very interesting thing. From the way that we work out our bodies, to the way that we work out together as a society—or we don’t work out as a society. Look at the wars we have going on actively right now in the world. Look at all the travesties that are happening. Look at the incredible, really contagious divisiveness that’s going on in our nation right now. Look at the pandemic going on around the world. That is the human condition. You need to ask yourself, what can you do within yourself to contribute to change? To contribute to the elevation? That’s the human condition.
You mentioned this idea of true luxury being looking after yourself and others. What are some of the ways you’ve tried to do that lately?
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Man, as much as I talk about prioritising yourself, I pride myself on thinking of others and trying to do things for other people. There’s the work that we do with World Central Kitchen with José Andrés, helping to feed folks and keep restaurants open and in business during such trying times. There’s the work we’re doing with Black Ambition, which is helping Black and Latinx entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life and find strategic mentorship. Then there’s the stuff that we’re working on with Yellow, trying to change things in education. And, at the same time, music is always my baby. I’m just doing as much as I can—that’s what you’re supposed to do. Life isn’t just about us. It’s about others.
One of the first sneakers I ever bought for myself was the Ice Cream Boardflip, one of the earliest shoes you ever designed. How do you think your instincts as a designer have evolved or remained the same since that period?
I don’t know. I go through evolutions just like everybody else. At the time, I had a chip on my shoulder about how skate culture was regarded by the rest of the world. Thank goodness now it’s been accepted at the Olympics—not to say that’s the greatest endorsement in the world. But it’s a very good step for mankind to finally respect that which has given us so many really talented people. Skateboarding has given us a lot of people that have gone on to do so many things outside of skateboarding. It’s their point of view—that skateboarding POV—that’s changed the world. Back then, I was doing whatever I could to help push [skateboarding’s status forward].