Pharrell Williams will be honored with the 2025 André Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award by the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), a recognition that celebrates his boundary-breaking influence in music, fashion, and culture.
The award ceremony is set for October 14 at SCADshow in Atlanta, coinciding with the university’s exhibition “André Leon Talley: Style Is Forever.”
SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace praised Williams’ impact, saying:
“Pharrell personifies joy and genius. With this honor, SCAD recognizes a generational talent and emboldens SCAD Bees to design their worlds with the very same wondrous élan that distinguishes the lives of André and Pharrell, legends both.”
In response, Williams reflected on the honor:
“It is a profound honor to receive the André Leon Talley Award. André showed us that creativity has no boundaries—it moves between art, fashion, and culture as a force that unites us.”
With 13 Grammy Awards and nominations across the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and Emmys, Williams’ resume speaks for itself.
But beyond the music, his reach extends deep into fashion and design. As the Creative Director of Louis Vuitton Menswear and founder of Humanrace, a wellness-focused brand, Williams continues to redefine modern creativity.
He’s also a philanthropist and entrepreneur at heart. His nonprofit YELLOW works to expand educational opportunities for youth, while his Black Ambition initiative provides mentorship and capital for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs.
Recently, he added another title to his already impressive list of roles: UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts Education and Entrepreneurship.
The award presentation will include remarks from Paula Wallace and legendary designer Diane von Furstenberg, followed by a conversation with Williams alongside Grammy-winning artist The-Dream, moderated by Stephanie Sutton, director of Engagement & Communications at YELLOW.
The event also leads into SCAD’s highly anticipated exhibition, André Leon Talley: Style Is Forever. Curated by Rafael Gomes, SCAD FASH Creative Director, the show highlights Talley’s unmatched influence on global style with pieces from his personal wardrobe, accessories, photographs, and more.
The exhibition will be open to the public October 15, 2025 – March 1, 2026.
Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com
