(L‘last?) end of year greeting: Matthew M. Williams leaves the creative direction of Givenchy. This was announced by the Maison of Lvmh with a statement on December 1st. Almost simultaneously, the news of the new appointment at the helm of Tod’s: the fashion merry-go-round continues.
The American designer held the position of creative director of the Givenchy women’s and men’s collections from June 2020. The news comes after three years, we read in the note, of “fruitful” collaboration: Matthew M. Williams will officially abandon his position on January 1, 2024.
The farewell of Matthew M. Williams
Founder of the street brand 1017 ALYX 9 SM, which he continued to lead from day one despite his role at Givenchy, now the designer will return to dealing only with his first love, born in 2015. The designer originally from Illinois and raised in California, a New Yorker by adoption and a lover of ‘Italy, with Luca Benini, planted the foundations of Alyx between Ferrara and Milan, shortly before winning the 2016 LVMH Prize with his brand and thus being noticed by the ranks of the luxury group. Among the first in unsuspecting times to believe in him, Kanye West And Lady Gaga.
«I would like to thank Matthew for all the energy he brought. His collections, decidedly creative and contemporary, have triggered a new dynamic and found their audience. I join all those who have had the pleasure of working with Matthew in wishing him every success in his next ventures” said Renaud de Lesquen, president and CEO of Givenchy.
Career at Givenchy
Among its merits: the successful relaunch of the flagship products of the past, such as the jacket U-Lock, the iconic bag Voyou and cuffed boots Shark Lock. Undisputed must-haves today as yesterday which have brought the Maison founded by Hubert in 1952 back to the top of the approval charts of stars and trendsetters, expanding the network of fans at an international level (particularly in the United States and Japan) and also conquering the new generations: just think of the choices in terms of testimonials (one above all of the recent ones, Gigi Hadid for Spring-Summer 2023).
Matthew M. Williams at the Givenchy SS022 show (Photo: Peter White/Getty Images).
In short, his vibe bold creatives have infused a good dose of energy into the collections of the Maison founded in 1952, leading it straight towards an aesthetic and creative renewal and making it decidedly more modern and glamorous. A task that can be said to have been completed?
Givenchy, «the dream of a lifetime»
«Being the creative director of Givenchy it was, as I said upon my arrival in 2020, the dream of a lifetime. In these three years, I have tried to perpetuate the legacy of Hubert de Givenchy bringing my creative vision at the same time and I would like to sincerely thank the studio, Renaud de Lesquen and LVM for this incredible opportunity”, commented Matthew M. Williams. All that remains is to wait to closely follow the next steps of the Maison: who will take his place? For now, the upper echelons say, the work will be continued by the internal studio. But one thing is certain: given the latest, increasingly frequent changes at the top, the appointment will not be long in coming.
Matteo Tamburini is the new creative director of Tod’s
We can expect further upheavals soon, between newly occupied and/or vacated positions and “homeless” prominent personalities (see under: Alessandro Michele). Meanwhile, Tod’s who loves Matteo Tamburini replacing Walter Chiapponi.
The debut of the designer from Urbino, born in 1982, who cut his teeth in Bottega Veneta as Head Designer of ready-to-wear since 2017, it is expected next February on the occasion of the women’s Milan Fashion Week, where the Autumn-Winter 2024/2025 collection will be shown.
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