Why Pharrell Williams Is Stan Mbella Mbome's Creative Hero
Stan Mbella Mbome is business development manager at 160over90, WME Group’s global marketing agency. His previous agency roles include stints at Ogilvy UK and M&C Saatchi London, while as an artist, he produces, writes and performs as RANES.
LBB > Who is your creative hero?
Stan> My creative hero is Pharrell Lanscilo Williams. He’s an artist, musician, businessman, fashion designer, and a real creative critic. He represents everything I admire in someone who builds a world from pure passion.
LBB > Why is he such an inspiration to you?
Stan> He’s just an all-round creative force. Pharrell has shaped some of the most iconic moments in fashion and music since the early 2000s - he was the tastemaker. He pushed the boundaries of what it means to be an artist, especially as a Black man in the entertainment industry, by being so multi-faceted.
Whether it's his work as a producer in The Neptunes - creating some of the biggest hits with that instantly recognisable sound, those hi-hats, that bounce - or starting Billionaire Boys Club with Chad, or being part of N.E.R.D, or opening a hotel in Miami, all the way to becoming the menswear designer at Louis Vuitton… he’s always evolving.
What inspires me most is that he never let go of his taste or personality. Everything he creates still feels so him - calm, relaxed, never cocky - just pure creativity. He tapped into all his passions and turned them into a world, a brand, a lifestyle.
That’s what I aspire to. I’m someone who feels pretty business-savvy in my day-to-day, but I’m fuelled by music, fashion, and culture. Pharrell inspires me to explore all my outlets, whether they’re creative or business-driven, and let them feed each other.
LBB > How long has Pharrell been important to you and when did you first come across his work?
Stan> Pharrell has been a big presence in my life since I was about eight. I discovered him on MTV with the song 'Frontin', and my family played it around the house nonstop. He just looked so fly. At first, I only knew him for the music, but I was instantly drawn to his style. It was edgy, but it had this charm that only he could pull off.
As I got older, I followed everything he did - Billionaire Boys Club and all the sub-labels he launched. It was the first time I remember thinking, “I want that aesthetic. I want that lifestyle.” He set the tone for how I saw creativity and identity.
LBB > How does he influence how you in your approach to your creative work?
Stan> He encourages me to tap into every side of myself - all the corners of my mind and all the influences that shape who I am. Being Black with Cameroonian heritage, but also growing up indifferent parts of the Western world, I’ve always felt like a melting pot. I’ve never fit neatly into one box.
Pharrell reminds me that I don’t have to. He pushes me to embrace that mix, to reject limits, and to let my personality and taste shine through anything I create — whether it’s in my job or in my personal projects.
LBB > Do you also consider yourself a multi hyphenate?
Stan> Absolutely. Outside of work, I love song writing, producing, and singing - that’s my outlet. But I’m also into fashion, fabrics, and furniture. I’ve always expressed myself creatively in ways that feel natural and never restrictive.
I love all things creative, but I’m also drawn to the business side - switching between a creative hat, a networking hat, and a business-savvy hat. It all feels connected, and I enjoy that balance.
LBB > Pharrell has worked with enviable brands including Billionaire Boys Club and Louis Vuitton. Which brands will you be watching in 2026?
Stan> There are so many, but a few really stand out. Outside of what he’s doing at Louis Vuitton, I’ll be watching Timberland - they’ve been super experimental with their boots lately. Their collaborations with Veneda Carter and Telfar felt like a shift, and it seems like they’re leaning into bolder, more statement-driven pieces. I’m excited to see where that goes.
Being from the UK, I’m obsessed with Clints - the streetwear brand from Manchester. They’re building such a unique world with such a strong design language. And Avirex, which was huge in the ’90s, is having a real comeback. They’re tapping into their nostalgia in such a smart way, and I’m curious to see how far they push it in 2026.
