Givenchy welcomes Mathew M. Williams as new Creative Director of the LVMH owned Parisian Maison, effective from today.
Overseeing all creative responsibilities for Women’s and Men’s collections, Williams succeeds on from Clare Waight Keller – the first female Creative Director of the house leading for 3 years, who announced her departure earlier in April.
“I am extremely honoured 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 fulfil 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.” – Matthew M. Williams.
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If you’re not familiar with Williams, the 34-year-old California native is a self-taught designer. Best known for his luxury streetwear inspired label 1017 Alyx 9SM (formerly Alyx). Named after his eldest daughter, the designer debuted the womenswear brand in 2015 for Autumn Winter, gaining quick attention before being short-listed for the 2016 LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers.
Williams has also cultivated strong relationships across all creative fields including art, music, photography and fashion. The designer is a former collaborator of high-profile artists such as Kanye West and Lady Gaga.
According to the Business of Fashion, Williams appointment marks the second time a streetwear designer has taken the helm of a major luxury house, following on from Virgil Abloh’s hiring at Louis Vuitton in 2018. A generational shift to excite a new wave of consumers and shoppers.
Williams will be relocating to Paris and presenting his first collection for the house in October. He will continue to design his Italian-based Alyx brand independently.
We look forward to the new vision and direction for the house of Givenchy under new Creative Director Matthew M. Williams.
