Christian Louboutin has always had a flair for the unexpected, but his latest move feels like a true generational shift. The French designer has named Jaden Smith as the house’s first-ever Men’s Creative Director, a role that sees the actor, musician and style icon relocate to Paris ahead of his debut collection in January.
It has been 15 years since Louboutin extended his iconic red soles into the men’s universe. Now, with Smith at the helm, the brand is poised for a new chapter that blends cultural edge with luxury craftsmanship. The appointment is no token gesture — Smith will be responsible for four men’s collections a year, spanning shoes, leather goods and accessories, as well as campaigns, events and immersive experiences.
For Louboutin, the choice was instinctive. “I found him very interesting, very kind, and very, very humble, and above all, very interesting: the way he is, the way he dresses, the way he thinks,” he remarked, adding that Smith was the only candidate considered for the role.
Smith himself acknowledges the weight of the task. “This is one of the biggest honours of my life, and I feel a lot of pressure to live up to everything Christian has done for the house, while stepping into such a serious role,” he shared.
The partnership comes at a crucial time for Louboutin’s men’s division, which makes up nearly a quarter of the brand’s business but has seen softer performance in recent years. Louboutin hopes Smith’s bold creativity and cultural reach — with nearly 20 million Instagram followers — will inject fresh energy into the category, leaving him more space to focus on the women’s collections.
All eyes will now turn to Paris Men’s Fashion Week in January, when Smith’s first designs for the house will be unveiled. With his fearless approach to fashion and Louboutin’s legacy of luxury, the collaboration promises to be nothing short of transformative.
