The luxurious French house of Givenchy announced today the appointment of Matthew M. Williams (I.G. @matthewmwilliams) as its new creative director, succeeding Clare Waight Keller who departed last April, being the seventh designer to take the helm of the French house since its founder retired in 1995. The founder of 1017 Alyx 9SM (short: Alyx) will be responsible for both men’s wear and women’s wear starting June 16, showing its first collection in Paris in October.
The take of the fashion house for luxurious streetwear outlines a more modern approach in tune with today’s consumer (Millenials & Gen-Z), as it was for Louis Vuitton and Virgil Abloh in 2018, but his appointment also encompasses a change toward the traditional fashion system. The rollercoaster buckle designer’s aesthetic has been described as more closely aligned to the former artistic director Riccardo Tisci who held the title from 2005 to 2017.
Mr. Williams is a self-taught designer whose resumé includes:
- Collaborations with Dior, Moncler, Vans, Nike, Hood by Air, Supreme, and Stussy
- Shortlisted for the LVMH Prize in 2016
- Founder of Ben Trill collective along with Virgil Abloh and Heron Preston, among others.
- Worked for Kanye West (as art director of Donda) and Lady Gaga, through whom he met Nick Knight, Nicola Formichetti, and Hedi Slimane
The 34-year-old American designer declared on a statement the honor of working for the Parisian house as well as the intention of bringing a new era of modernity and inclusivity, contributing towards a positive change:
”I am extremely honored to join the House of Givenchy. The Maison’s unique position and timeless aura make it an undeniable icon and I am looking forward to working together with its ateliers and teams, to move it into a new era, based on modernity and inclusivity. I am grateful to the LVMH group for trusting me with the opportunity to fulfill my lifelong dream. In these unprecedented times for the world, I want to send a message of hope, together with my community and colleagues, and intend to contribute towards positive change.”
Sidney Toledano, Chairman and CEO of LVMH Fashion Group said on a statement:
‘I believe his singular vision of modernity will be a great opportunity for Givenchy to write its new chapter with strength and success.”
