Louis Vuitton’s Lobster Bag Goes Viral: Explaining Pharrell’s Design

Lobsters, much like Louis Vuitton‘s iconic monogram, are a signifier of luxury. In Pharrell Williams‘ latest collection for the French fashion house, he merged both status symbols to create a now-viral handbag.

Williams reunited with one of his longtime collaborators, Japanese streetwear designer Nigo, for the fall 2025 season. The duo founded their own clothing brands, Billionaire Boys Club and Icecream, back in 2003.

“I never dreamt when I first met Nigo that this is what we would be doing together,” Williams told WWD ahead of the menswear show.

Williams and Nigo have previously teamed up under the Vuitton label, debuting a pair of sunglasses during Marc Jacobs’ tenure. The Millionaires 1.0 frames, still sold today, were first released in 2004.

The duo’s kitschy crustacean clutch has a rumored price tag of $18,000, though it was hardly the only lobster motif in the collection. Bag charms in the shape of the creature’s body and claws also decorated Vuitton Keepalls, miniature trunks and totes.

Elsa Schiaparelli first made lobsters into a fashion statement in 1937, when she collaborated with surrealist Salvador Dalí to create a printed silk organza gown. The Spanish artist created a mixed media sculpture called “Lobster Telephone” the year prior.

Schiaparelli has since reinvented the lobster dress, with creative directors Bertrand Guyon and Daniel Roseberry incorporating the luxe shellfish into their spring 2017 couture and spring 2024 ready-to-wear collections, respectively.

Designers such as Philip Treacy, Thom Browne and John Galliano have also debuted lobster-themed designs, with the former crafting a Swarovski crystal-embellished headpiece worn by Lady Gaga in 2010. For his fall 2006 presentation for Dior couture, Galliano’s collection included armored coats and gowns resembling lobster tails.

Since Williams became Louis Vuitton’s creative director of menswear in 2023, he’s infused a playful energy into the brand’s handbags.

Taking after his earlier eyewear design, he revealed the Millionaire Speedy in 2023, a crocodile leather and diamond-encrusted version of the Vuitton hero piece. Last year, Williams joined forces with rapper Tyler, the Creator to debut a “waffle” duffle complete with a buttery-looking logo, though this particular bag never made it into production.