Ever since he jived into public consciousness with N_E_R_D_ Pharrell's maintained an enduring cool. Even when he starred alongside Robin Thicke in the exhaustively controversial Blurred Lines. Even when he wore the more excessive piece of headgear we've ever seen. And even when he burst into tears on Oprah last week, after she showed him a montage of fans dancing to 'Happy'.
Today he releases a t-shirt and cap line with Uniqlo and that too, is pretty cool. Focusing on the concept of originality, the collection is called 'i am OTHER' and features 14 t-shirts in different colours and 7 baseball caps. Pharell himself, is wowed with the results. You might even think, from his delighted response, that he has never seen a T-shirt before. 'Wow, this is going to be revolutionary. It's so soft - gentle to touch - and I just couldn't believe the price it was going for', he trills to British Vogue. The collections are separated into men and women, but we sorta prefer the mens' tees, which are a little bolder. T-shirtsstart at £12.90 and capsare £14.90.
But that's not all we have to say about Pharrell's new collab. Here are 5 other lessons to take away from the singer superstar, based on his t-shirt collection.
1. Learn the definition of 'other'
It means being different. Which is not the same as being the same. Incase you are still unsure - let us stop wordplay seguing into misunderstanding - Pharrell has included some synonyms. He has also provided a piece out sign and a little cocked eye, so he doesn't seem too much like the wordy wordy geek. C'mon, he's Pharrell!
2. You will fancy Pharrell
Imagine there are questions to the left of these tree tick boxes. The first question poses, 'do you fancy Pharrell?' You don't answer. You're playing it kewl. The second question poses, with a gentle nudge, 'do you fancy Pharrell?' Again, you're standing firm. The third question asks you, now a little impatiently: 'DO you fancy Pharrell?' Tick. Obviously. It helps that he's peeking out the neck of the t-shirt, watching you with those sexy little eyes.
3. Don't just BE other. THINK other
He might be very keen to establish the definition of 'other', but Pharrell has let some very awkward phraseology slide, here, in imploring us to 'think other'. Given that we aren't intimately acquainted with the thinking patterns of anyone else's brain (goddamit), we're finding that attempting to ensure that we think differently - with all its accompanying confusion - is giving us a bit of a headache.
4. Snapbacks are back
And not just because Pharrell says so. This natty little snapback is definitely more wearable than a four piece plaid suit, or an 8 metre high hat - which he has kindly left out of his range. In case you aren't into this whole 'the same is lame' rhyme, you can just, um, wear it backwards.
5. Pharrell is watching, always watching
Whoa! Phazza says. Not too close, gurl! He can see you coming, but he's halting you from getting too close. The writing is big; you don't need to go that close 'to read it'. Oh and by the way, in case you didn't hear - the same? It's lame.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.