Matthew Williams is Givenchy’s New Designer
The founder of 1017 Alyx 9SM becomes the French house's seventh couturier.
Attention all hype beasts: Matthew M. Williams is Givenchy’s new creative director.
The American designer behind the 1017 Alyx 9SM label and a key ringleader of the luxury streetwear scene, Williams becomes the French house’s seventh couturier. He starts on June 16 and is expected to present his first designs for Givenchy in October.
In a statement shared first with WWD, Williams described Givenchy’s new era as one “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,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to Givenchy parent LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton “for trusting me with the opportunity to fulfill my lifelong dream.
“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,” he added.
Williams assumes all creative responsibilities, including women’s and men’s collections, Givenchy noted.
Williams led the list of candidates floated by WWD on April 13 when it was the first to report that Clare Waight Keller and Givenchy were ending their three-year collaboration.
His arrival thrusts Givenchy back into the realm of buzz, cool and cultural urgency that it last enjoyed under Riccardo Tisci, who deftly gave the aristocratic brand a subversive edge with his Rottweiler T-shirts, muscular tailoring and Goth-tinged gowns.
While perhaps best known for his rollercoaster buckle and collaborations with Nike, Moncler and Dior, Williams, 34, is seen as a driven, versatile fashion talent with a sharp vision, strong cultural and artistic connections, and formidable technical chops.