After the recent departure of prolific fashion designer Clare Waight Keller, it looks like Givenchy have found its new creative director.
Matthew M Williams is chiefly known now for his former work with Kanye West, Been Trill, and his prolific luxury streetwear/fashion imprint 1017 ALYX 9SM (which he’s stated will continue operation through his tenure at Givenchy). Williams marks the second former Kanye/DONDA associate to recently ascend to the top of a high fashion house—when Louis Vuitton named Off-White champion Virgil Abloh as their creative director in 2018, many regarded it as a significant tightening of the ever-thinning gap between streetwear and high fashion. This move seems to take a similar approach for Givenchy, though Williams’ work with Dior means he’s hardly inexperienced in the realm of legacy fashion houses.
In a statement, the designer said,
“I am extremely honored to join the House of Givenchy,” Williams said in a statement. “I am looking forward to working together with its ateliers and teams, to move it into a new era, based on modernity and inclusivity. 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.”
As creative director, the designer will oversee both menswear, womenswear, and accessories. Though his guiding tone, mood, and imagery for the brand remain to be seen, Williams will release his first collection with Givenchy in Paris this coming October. Williams’ fourth sneaker with Nike is also expected to debut sometime in the near future, though specifics are scarce at the moment.
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