Pharrell Williams, widely recognized as Skateboard P, has officially launched a new footwear silhouette for Louis Vuitton that draws heavy inspiration from classic skate shoe aesthetics. However, the design has sparked immediate controversy, as it bears an uncanny resemblance to the iconic footwear produced by Vans, a brand synonymous with skate culture.
The producer and fashion visionary was recently spotted wearing the new red Louis Vuitton SS27 sneakers, which feature design elements that many observers—including the brand itself—found difficult to ignore. Vans took to their official Instagram account to address the situation directly, commenting, “ohhhh bet,” a clear insinuation that they are well aware of the aesthetic overlap.
A closer inspection reveals that the similarities extend beyond a mere passing resemblance. From the specific placement of the seams and the signature black line along the side sole to the overall cut and silhouette of the shoe, the design choices mirror the classic Vans aesthetic, albeit with the addition of a crocodile-skin-like texture characteristic of the luxury house.
Vans did not stop at a single comment. The company doubled down on their stance by sharing an image of their own classic footwear on social media, accompanied by lyrics from the track “Mr. Me Too” by Clipse and Pharrell Williams: “Wanna know the time, better clock us.” The brand further emphasized their heritage by labeling their product 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
The situation has left many in the fashion and music communities questioning whether the producer may have “sampled” a bit too heavily from the skate brand’s archives. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how Louis Vuitton will respond to the public call-out from one of the most influential names in skate footwear history.
