Christian Louboutin has named Jaden Smith as its first-ever creative director for men’s, marking a milestone in both luxury fashion and the artist’s career. The appointment, confirmed this week, entrusts Smith with steering the creative vision for men’s footwear, accessories, and leather goods, as well as shaping the brand’s campaigns and in-store experiences.
Smith’s Vision: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future
Smith will lead the creation of four collections annually, with his debut capsule launching in January 2026 at Paris Fashion Week Men’s. In his first statement as creative director, Smith explained, “Merging my vision with Christian’s comes quite naturally because we see the world in a very similar way. There’s a shared respect for creative freedom, and I think that’s why it works. I want to continue the story, honoring the past while shaping the future through my own perspective. It isn’t just a title — it’s a creative home. Christian has given me a place to explore, to learn, and to create freely. His legacy is built on hard work and joy, and I want to carry that forward.”
He also spoke on the importance of his role, “This is one of the biggest honors of my life, and I feel a lot of pressure to be able to live up to everything that Christian has done for the house, especially stepping into such a significant position. When he reached out to me, I was just blown away, because of how similar we are and how much we like to do things in a similar manner. I can’t wait to show the world what we’ve been working on.”
Louboutin’s Perspective: A Perfect Match
Christian Louboutin himself showed excitement with the appointment, saying: “When I first met Jaden, I saw in him a natural fit for the Maison, his world is rich and multidimensional, his style and cultural sensibility are inspiring, and his curiosity and openness are remarkable. I felt that with his creative direction, our men’s collection would evolve in an exciting and dynamic way. He feels like the perfect addition to our creative team, and I am truly looking forward to having fun working with him on our men’s collections.”
Louboutin noticed that Smith was the only candidate considered for this high-profile role, emphasizing his belief that the real risk in fashion lies in avoiding innovation. Smith’s celebrity reach, including 19.1 million Instagram followers, will be leveraged to reset the men’s business, which currently represents 24% of the brand’s overall sales.
Redefining Legacy and Opportunity
Smith’s appointment is seen as a turning point for the French luxury house, whose iconic red-soled men’s shoes have grown steadily for over 15 years. Louboutin hopes that Smith’s fresh perspective, along with his track record in music, activism, and his own label, MSFTSRep Infinity, will further elevate the men’s division.
Louboutin’s move allows him to refocus on the women’s line, while Smith brings new energy to menswear. As Louboutin puts it: “The way he is, the way he dresses, the way he thinks – it’s all very interesting. I believe in his creativity, and I am delighted to have an insightful voice from a different generation alongside me.”
The Path Forward
Smith’s creative journey starts now; he’s already visiting Italian factories to learn craftsmanship firsthand and will direct immersive events and boundary-pushing campaigns. His debut collection will unveil at boutiques and online in January, with the full reveal during Paris Fashion Week Men’s.
The historic appointment suggests a new, multidimensional chapter for Christian Louboutin men’s, blending classic elegance and bold innovation—and proving that a brand’s legacy can thrive through creative risk and collaboration with the next generation.
