PARIS (AP) 鈥 Matthew M. Williams will step down as creative director of Givenchy, the renowned Parisian heritage house owned by LVMH, the company announced Friday.
Williams, who has been at the helm since June 2020, is set to depart early in 2024 and will focus on his own brand, 1017 ALYX 9SM.
The American designer, known for his collaborations with Lady Gaga and Kanye West, is credited with , bringing a dynamic vibe to the haute Paris runway.
Williams鈥 tenure at Givenchy has been marked by a mix of bold fashion shows, innovative designs and notable collaborations with contemporary artists. Yet, the fashion press had varying critical responses to Williams鈥 tenure, echoing the challenges of blending streetwear sensibilities with traditional haute couture.
Notable achievements under Williams鈥 direction include the revitalization of Givenchy鈥檚 product line, with items like the 鈥淯-Lock鈥 jacket and the 鈥淰oyou鈥 bag, both launched in early 2023.
Renaud de Lesquen, Givenchy CEO, expressed gratitude for Williams鈥 contributions: 鈥淗is creative and contemporary collections have introduced a new dynamism and found their audience.鈥
Williams called working at Givenchy a lifelong dream. "I鈥檓 proud to have worked to honor Mr. Hubert de Givenchy鈥檚 legacy while adding my own vision,鈥 he said.
Givenchy, the 71-year-old fashion house, has been home to some of the world鈥檚 most renowned fashion designers over the decades, including , John Galliano, and Riccardo Tisci.
