The former finalist of the LVMH prize is Givenchy's new DA!
After the departure of Clare Waight Keller at the head of the prestigious house of Givenchy, rumours were circulating that the talented 2016 winner of the LVMH prize might have a chance. This is now a fact, Matthew M Williams is today at 34 years old the new artistic director of Givenchy.
A news that has set the fashion world on fire! Sidney Toledano, Chairman and CEO of LVMH Fashion Group and member of the LVMH Executive Committee, says :
"I am very pleased that Matthew M. Williams is joining the LVMH Group today. Since his participation in the LVMH Awards, we have had the pleasure of watching him become one of today's most promising talents. His singular vision of modernity represents an exceptional opportunity for Givenchy to write a new chapter in its history with strength and success. »
Already known for his work with celebrities such as Kanye West and Lady Gaga, Californian Matthew M Williams conquered the fashion industry very early on. He collaborated with Nike and Moncler, and created his own brand in 2015, Alyx, named after his eldest daughter. A success that he owes in particular to his particular universe, close to streetwear made in Italy, nourished by craftsmanship and technical design. Two best-sellers, the beautiful Brie bag and the Rollercoaster accessory buckle inspired by the safety belts of the roller coaster at the Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park in California. Matthew M Williams enters the world of haute-couture as a finalist for the LVMH award, collaborating on Kim Jones' first Dior men's fashion show around his famous buckle.
And finally, the consecration... The self-taught Californian with a meteoric rise is taking creative direction for all the women's and men's collections of the House of Givenchy. Matthew M Williams took up his post on Monday 16 June: "It is a great honour to join the House of Givenchy. Her unique position and timeless aura make her an undeniable icon. I look forward to working with her teams and workshops to bring Givenchy into a new era based on modernity and inclusiveness. I would like to thank the LVMH group for entrusting me with the opportunity to make a lifelong dream come true. At a time when we are experiencing unprecedented events, I wish, alongside my community and colleagues, to send a message of hope and contribute to the positive evolution of our society."
The master of "luxury subverted by counter-cultures" opens a new chapter in French haute-couture. Matthew M Williams, although fundamentally avant-garde, seems to want to respect the legacy of the enfant terrible of couture, Hubert de Givenchy, while adding his own values and modernity. Rendez-vous in October in Paris to discover his first collections at the head of the artistic direction of the mythical French house.
As Thibaut de La Rivière, director of Sup de luxe, notes, "For several years now, French luxury brands and fashion houses have been calling on increasingly young, offbeat and creative designers who are adept at counter-culture... We have seen the appointment of Virgil Abloh at Louis Vuitton and Hedi Slimane at Céline. Today Matthew Williams at Givenchy promises a new page full of surprises."