Vans Shades Pharrell After He Launches Louis Vuitton Skate Shoes With Eerily Similar Design
Pharrell Williams’ latest Louis Vuitton footwear release has drawn sharp criticism from Vans, who claim the design is too close for comfort.
Pharrell, widely recognized by his moniker Skateboard P, has officially launched a new footwear silhouette for Louis Vuitton inspired by classic skate shoe aesthetics. However, the design has sparked immediate controversy, as many observers—including the brand itself—have noted that the shoe bears an uncanny resemblance to the iconic designs of Vans.
Pharrell was recently spotted wearing the new red Louis Vuitton SS27 sneakers, which feature design elements that mirror the signature look of traditional skate footwear. Vans was quick to address the similarity, taking to their official Instagram account to comment, “ohhhh bet,” a remark clearly signaling their awareness of the design parallels.
The similarities are difficult to ignore. From the specific placement of the seams to the distinct black line running along the side of the sole and the overall silhouette, the Louis Vuitton offering seems to borrow heavily from the classic skate aesthetic, albeit with a luxury twist like the crocodile-skin texture.
Vans did not stop at a single comment. The brand further leaned into the situation by posting their own classic shoe on Instagram, accompanied by lyrics from the track “Mr. Me Too” by Clipse and Pharrell: “Wanna know the time, better clock us.” They further solidified their stance by labeling their footwear as “the authentic — off the wall since 1966.”
After commenting on Pharrell’s post, Vans doubled down and shared a lyric from ‘Mr. Me Too’ by Clipse and Pharrell in the caption, a track known for taking aim at copycats 😳👀 https://t.co/BkKReteXnd pic.twitter.com/MNwxlz0P9q
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) June 22, 2026
Given the history of the track referenced, it appears the brand is suggesting that the producer may have taken a bit too much inspiration from their heritage. As the fashion world debates the line between homage and imitation, one thing is certain: the conversation surrounding these Louis Vuitton skate shoes is far from over.