Givenchy Names Matthew M. Williams As New Creative Director

Givenchy has tapped Matthew M. Williams as the new creative director of Givenchy. The Chicago-born designer is the seventh individual to helm the iconic

French fashion label, following Clare Waight Keller, who departed the brand in April 2020 after becoming the first woman to hold the title, bringing a ladylike charm and revitalizing the couture business of the storied maison.

The announcement of Williams’s appointment comes at a time when the fashion industry is in flux. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, brands are evaluating how best to present their collections to the public, deciding

MATTHEW M WILLIAMS whether or not Fashion Week in September is a viable option. Still, Givenchy is putting its trust in Williams and will present his first collection for the brand in October. Williams, too, is up for the challenge, expressing his admiration for the label and how he will use his position to spur change in fashion.

“I want to say something about how honored I am to be taking on the role as creative director of Givenchy,”Williams said via a recording shared on the brand’s Twitter and Instagram accounts. “It’s been my lifelong dream to be in this position, and it’s really surreal that it’s finally here. I’ve worked every day for 15 years towards a single goal, and it’s super, super surreal. And at the same time, it’s bittersweet because we’re living in unprecedented times in the world.