Style

6 Things to know about Matthew Williams, Givenchy’s new creative director

16.06.2020

By Joan Kong

6 Things to know about Matthew Williams, Givenchy’s new creative director

Following Clare Waight Keller’s exit announcement two months back, Givenchy has named its new creative director—Matthew Williams, the founder of cult streetwear brand 1017 Alyx 9SM. The 34-year-old designer will be overseeing all creative responsibilities for the Maison’s womenswear and menswear lines, and his debut collection will be unveiled in Paris this October. He’s set to relocate to Paris while operating his brand independently.

 

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In a statement released by the brand, the designer says, “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. 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.”

Listen to his voice note here:

 

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Below, a few things to know about Matthew Williams:

 He applied to study fashion at Parsons School of Design but his application was rejected. He ended up working in fashion production (at Alexander McQueen) where he learned to cut patterns before dabbling in costume designing through music stylists, according to Business of Fashion.

 He was the designer behind the LED jacket Kanye West wore to the 2008 Grammys, and he later helmed the art director role at the rapper’s creative company DONDA.

 He briefly dated Lady Gaga back in 2009 (her nickname for him? Dada), and their creative connection led him to assume the role of Haus of Gaga’s creative director. He designed her infamous disco stick.

 In 2010, he formed men’s streetwear brand Been Trill collective with Heron Preston and Virgil Abloh. The latter, as you all know, is now the founder of Off-White and the men’s artistic director of Louis Vuitton.

 He counts Kim Jones as his mentor. The English designer created his and his wife’s wedding ensembles, and Williams was the one who designed the CD buckle for Jones’ debut collection for Dior Men in June 2018.

 Currently, as mentioned, he’s the founder and designer of cult streetwear brand 1017 Alyx 9SM that places a focus on sensuous clothes with a cool-kids attitude, “in search of a meaningful connection”.Did you know: Lee Min Ho sported one of his designs in his recent drama, The King: Eternal Monarch.

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