Matthew Williams Is Givenchy's New Creative Director
Matthew M. Williams, the 34-year-old founder of streetwear-inspired label 1017 ALYX 9SM, is the new artistic director of the Givenchy fashion house. He succeeds Clare Waight Keller, overseeing both men and women's collections and will present his first collection in Paris under the French maison in October this year.
"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," he said in a statement online.
The French fashion house is the latest company to embrace incorporating street fashion culture into the world of luxury, just as with Virgil Abloh's appointment as creative director of Louis Vuitton in 2018.
William's label 1017 Alyx 9SM has a cult following, hybridizing perfectly the cornerstones of streerwear, from sneaker-lace-ups to parkas, to complete utilitarian wear, such as with his iconic “buckle” belts, loved by Bella Hadid, Kanye West and Drake (the latter also mentioned Alyx in one of his songs). Williams will continue to oversee his brand independently while preparing to show his first collection for Givenchy.
On his vision for the future of Givenchy, Williams shared, “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.”
“I want to warmly welcome Matthew M. Williams to the beautiful Maison Givenchy. I am convinced that, with his unapologetic approach to design and creativity and in great collaboration with the Maison's exceptional ateliers and teams, Matthew will help Givenchy reach its full potential," says Renaud de Lesquen, CEO and President of Givenchy.
