Matthew Williams Is Stepping Away From Givenchy
Beginning January 1, the designer will no longer be creative director of the French fashion house.
Photo: Getty Images
Early on 1 December, Givenchy announced that designer Matthew Williams will be leaving his role as the house’s creative director on January 1, 2024. The studio team will design upcoming collections until a replacement is hired.
Williams has held the position since 2020, and has been responsible for pushing the storied brand into a new era, underscored by a decidedly sexier, slightly more streetwear-adjacent vibe, geared mostly toward a younger generation (of the Z kind, mainly). Once he steps down, he said, he will refocus his energy on his own brand, 1017 Alyx 9SM, popular among celebrities ranging from Kylie Jenner to the Weeknd.
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In a statement released by the house, Williams said: “Leading the creative direction of Givenchy was, as I said upon my arrival in 2020, the dream of a lifetime.” He added, “Over the last three years, I have strived to perpetuate Mr. Hubert de Givenchy’s legacy while bringing my own creative vision, and I would like to sincerely thank the studio, [Givenchy CEO] Renaud de Lesquen, and LVMH for this incredible opportunity.”
Lesquen thanked Williams for “all of the energy he brought to Givenchy.” “His collections, resolutely creative and contemporary, have sparked a new dynamic and found their audience,” the CEO said.
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There’s no doubt Williams will find continued success with Alyx, but his departure also provides an opportunity for Givenchy to appoint new talent with a progressive perspective. Could Grace Wales Bonner be a contender, perhaps? Or—as rumours swirling about the industry suggest—could this be a moment for Sarah Burton to start anew, after leaving her role as creative director at Alexander McQueen in September? Having a woman at the helm of Givenchy again would certainly be a thrilling prospect—and a change that, given recent discourse around the lack of female representation in the upper echelons of luxury fashion, would be hugely important.
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This article originally appeared in Harper’s BAZAAR US.