Pharrell’s 2025 Met Gala After-Party Was… A High-Stakes Uno Game?
Now more than ever, Pharrell Williams is busy—the kind of busy that finds him circling the globe multiple times over, sharing his ever-expanding universe of creations: his music, his skincare line Humanrace, his digital auction house Joopiter and, of course, his designs as the men’s creative director at Louis Vuitton. And yet, somehow, he remains as zen as ever.
So it’s only fitting that, after fulfilling his duties as co-chair of the 2025 Met Gala, Pharrell chose to host a post-gala celebration at the Crane Club with a fete that reflected his signature calm. Arriving with wife Helen Lasichanh by his side, he eschewed the frenzy of other after-parties for something more unexpected: an intimate evening centered around a spirited game of Uno.
Yes, there were cocktails, a bit of dancing, and the usual merrymaking, though none of the paparazzi crush or nightclub chaos found at the other 16(!) after-parties unfolding across Manhattan. Instead, guests were greeted by bright lights (turned up for gameplay visibility), plush seating, and an impeccably organized Uno tournament.
A child at heart with a taste for the colorful and quirky, Pharrell has long adored the card game, often playing it with close friends and collaborators. This was no casual round, though—shuffling machines, professional croupiers, and the buzz of a casino floor all added a touch of grandeur.
And the stakes? Surprisingly high. Winners could walk away with one of four extravagant prizes: a Richard Mille watch, Tiffany Co. diamond earrings, a Louis Vuitton trunk, or a custom varsity jacket designed by Pharrell himself.
While many partygoers—including Kim Kardashian, Ciara, Halle Bailey, Jaden Smith, Pusha T, David Blaine, and Instagram execs Adam Mosseri and Eva Chen—remained relaxed and observant, four finalists—Paloma, Daniella, Stella, and Aris—dug into a tense final round. YouTube star Kai Cenat and an official “Uno Master” from Mattel looked on as Aris Rachevsky ultimately emerged victorious around 2:30 a.m., choosing the Richard Mille watch as his prize to roaring applause.
It was a surreal tableau only Pharrell could dream up—replete with trays of iced coffee and espresso for the more competitive players, a crowd dressed almost entirely in Louis Vuitton by Pharrell, and a sushi bar serving his favorite Nami Nori hand rolls. “The prizes are pretty crazy,” said Nami Nori co-founder Jihan Lee. “I was lucky enough to join the first Uno tournament after the Louis Vuitton show in January, but this is really about re-embracing childhood memories. Playing Uno brings out the child in everyone, and I love to see it.”
After the tournament wrapped, guests made their way through the restaurant kitchen and down a back stairwell into the subterranean nightclub, where Savannah James—wife of LeBron James—hosted her own after-hours bash. Lobos Tequila cocktails (the James family is an investor) flowed freely, as did a hearty spread of personal pizzas. Who says fashion people don’t like to eat?
Zach Hilty/BFA.com1/16La La Anthony, Kim Kardashian
Zach Hilty/BFA.com2/16Pharrell Williams
