Such is the star power of the multi-talented Pharrell Williams, that for his debut show for Louis Vuitton menswear in Paris on Tuesday, the seating arrangement looked like a who's who of A-listers.
The runway was set in Pont Neuf in central Paris – for which part of the city had to be cordoned off. Beyonce and her husband Jay-Z arrived clad in bespoke Vuitton, and at the end of the show, Jay-Z stood up, shrugged off his Vuitton jacket, put on another and started rapping. Williams also joined him on stage.
Rihanna, the star of the first campaign under Williams, was also in attendance, her pregnant stomach on show, with her partner A$AP Rocky. Williams stopped and bowed to Rihanna during the finale of the show.
Also in attendance were Lenny Kravitz and Naomi Campbell, as well as Willow and Jayden Smith, plus basketball star LeBron James, who towered over the crowd. K-pop group Got7 members Jackson Wang and BamBam were also at the show, as was Yuta from NCT 127.
Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton was one of many that kept their sunglasses on all night, while British grime star Skepta arrived in a studded Vuitton top and trousers. Kim Kardashian wore a second skin, camo-print look, complete with cape, while the new house ambassador, Zendaya, arrived wearing head-to-toe print.
In a show of the diverse appeal of Williams – or was it the house? – retired New Zealand All Blacks captain Dan Carter and Japanese artist Takashi Murakami were also both at the show, while former creative director of Yves Saint Laurent, Stefano Pilati walked as a model.
For his finale, Williams repeatedly stopped and bowed to the crowd, before turning and acknowledging the Vuitton design team summoned on the runway.
Tomorrow 2021
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The biog
Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.
Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books
Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella
Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
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Saudi National Day
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Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.
Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.
The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
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PETER%20PAN%20%26%20WENDY
Tomorrow 2021
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• Could the UAE drive India's economy?
• News has a bright future and the UAE is at the heart of it
• Architecture is over - here's cybertecture
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