Jackson Wang on Life is a Race, his latest fashion collaboration with Pharrell Williams
Jackson Wang’s Team Wang and Pharrell Williams’ Billionaire Boys Club have reunited for a second collaboration, Life is a Race, launched on June 25.
Inspired by racing culture, the collection of outerwear, T-shirts and accessories merges Wang’s creative vision with Williams’ long-standing streetwear credibility. “This collection is the second creative partnership between Pharrell and I that reflects our shared values of cultural exchange and individuality,” Wang exclusively tells Tatler.
Last year, Wang teamed up with Williams’ luxury auction platform Joopiter for the Metamorphosis collection. Launched during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris, the capsule traced the K-pop star’s evolution from athlete to artist. Alongside new designs, it featured a curated selection of personal items, including a fencing helmet, a Team Wang diamond pendant and custom Louis Vuitton pieces.
Echoing the lavish dinner at Shang Palace that marked the launch of Metamorphosis, Wang and Williams co-hosted a high-profile event in Paris to celebrate their latest collaboration, Life is a Race. For Wang, it signals the start of a new chapter. “This collection is just the beginning—there will be a lot more happenings down the road to be unveiled,” he says.
Tatler brings you everything to know about the Life is a Race collection.
In case you missed it: Jackson Wang on emerging from his ‘most terrifying breakdown’ with a colourful collaboration with designer Mobolaji Dawodu
Life is a Race
'Life is a Race' campaign (Photo: Team Wang)
'Life is a Race' campaign (Photo: Team Wang)
'Life is a Race' campaign (Photo: Team Wang)
'Life is a Race' campaign (Photo: Team Wang)
'Life is a Race' biker jacket (Photo: Team Wang)
'Life is a Race' biker jacket (Photo: Team Wang)
'Life is a Race' collection (Photo: Team Wang)
'Life is a Race' collection (Photo: Team Wang)
'Life is a Race' collection (Photo: Team Wang)
For Wang, the inspiration behind Life is a Race stems from a pivotal period of personal growth. “It has been 10 years since my debut, and after some reflection during my one-year break, I realised: life is a race, but your own race,” he tells Tatler. “This collection is for those who aren’t racing to be first, but racing to be you. It’s about authenticity, resilience and owning your journey.”
To reflect this message, the collection features racing-inspired silhouettes—from structured biker jackets and distressed T-shirts to accessories such as hats—all rendered in a monochrome black palette punctuated with bursts of royal purple and red.
Wang and Williams also aimed to give back through the partnership. Two exclusive pieces—a T-shirt and a biker jacket, each signed by the collaborators—are being auctioned on the Joopiter platform. Proceeds will support Black Ambition, Williams’ non-profit initiative that supports Black and Latinx entrepreneurs.
A Parisian launch to remember
'Life is a Race' launch event (Photo: Team Wang)
'Life is a Race' launch event (Photo: Team Wang)
'Life is a Race' launch event (Photo: Team Wang)
Williams and Wang at the 'Life is a Race' launch event (Photo: Team Wang)
Rapper Freddie Gibbs at the 'Life is a Race' launch event (Photo: Team Wang)
Rapper Asap Nast at the 'Life is a Race' launch event (Photo: Team Wang)
The collection debuted at Fabula, a restaurant discreetly tucked within the historic courtyard of the Musée Carnavalet. Model race cars and immersive lighting transformed the launch into an evocative exercise in cultural storytelling, rather than a conventional product drop. Industry insiders—from stylists to rappers including Freddie Gibbs and Asap Nast—gathered to mark the occasion.
For Wang, each new Team Wang release is deeply meaningful. “Every Team Wang launch is very personal to me—it reflects different stages in life, my vision and thoughts,” he shares. “Pharrell has always been an inspiration to me, whether creatively or in life in general.”
NOW READ
The many faces of G-Dragon: 8 singular looks that define fashion’s Übermensch
Exclusive: ‘F1’ actor Simone Ashley on life, style and her favourite IWC Schaffhausen watch