Pharrell, often referred to as Skateboard P, has officially launched a new line of footwear for Louis Vuitton inspired by classic skate shoe aesthetics. However, the design has drawn immediate comparisons to Vans, a brand synonymous with skate culture for decades. The resemblance is striking enough that the footwear giant felt compelled to address the situation publicly.
Pharrell was recently spotted wearing the new red Louis Vuitton SS27 sneakers, which feature design elements that mirror traditional Vans silhouettes. The company wasted no time in making their stance known, leaving a comment on the producer’s Instagram post that read, “ohhhh bet” — a clear insinuation that they are aware of the design similarities.
The visual parallels are difficult to ignore. From the specific placement of the seams to the signature black line along the side sole and the overall structural cut of the shoe, the design language appears heavily influenced by the classic skate aesthetic, albeit with the addition of a luxury crocodile-skin texture.
Vans further escalated the situation by sharing an image of their own footwear on Instagram, accompanied by lyrics from the Clipse track “Mr. Me Too,” which famously takes aim at copycats: “Wanna know the time, better clock us.” The brand also reinforced its heritage by labeling their design 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
It remains to be seen if this is a playful jab or the beginning of a larger dispute. Given Pharrell’s history as a producer who understands the art of the sample, one might wonder if he intentionally “sampled” the classic skate look for his latest luxury venture. What do you think?
