Jaden Smith has been hired as men’s creative director by Christian Louboutin and is moving to Paris to take on this new role. At 27, the actor and musician steps in as the luxury shoe brand’s first-ever men’s creative director.
This is a pretty big leap for Smith’s fashion career and Louboutin’s expansion plans. Both sides seem to know it.
Smith will oversee four collections each year for the French luxury brand. His first offering drops as a capsule collection in Paris this January.
Men’s products now make up 24 percent of Louboutin’s business. That’s not nothing.
This collaboration brings together Smith’s creative vision with Louboutin’s luxury craftsmanship. He’s not exactly a rookie—Smith has worked with Louis Vuitton since 2016.
He also co-founded luggage brand Harper Collective in 2023. That shows he’s got some business chops too.
Key Takeaways
- Jaden Smith lands as Christian Louboutin’s first men’s creative director and moves to Paris
- He’ll create four men’s collections per year, starting with a January debut
- The aim: reinvigorate Louboutin’s men’s line, already nearly a quarter of the brand’s business
Jaden Smith’s Role as Men’s Creative Director for Christian Louboutin
Jaden Smith steps in as Christian Louboutin’s first men’s creative director. This marks a real shift in how the luxury house approaches men’s design.
He’ll be overseeing four collections per year. The move means relocating to Paris to work right alongside the founder.
Smith’s Appointment and Creative Helm
Christian Louboutin personally picked Smith for the role. They met back in 2019 and just clicked.
“I found him very interesting, very kind, and very, very humble,” Louboutin said. He noticed Smith’s unique style and thoughtful approach to fashion right away.
Smith is the first person to ever hold this position at the brand. Louboutin didn’t even do a formal search.
The appointment just sort of happened as Louboutin realized he was stretched thin. He saw a bit of his younger self in Smith.
Responsibilities Across Shoes, Leather Goods, and Accessories
Smith will handle four collections a year across several categories. Responsibilities include:
- Shoes: Sneakers and leather-soled footwear
- Leather goods: Bags and small accessories
- Accessories: Men’s fashion extras
- Campaigns: Creative direction for marketing
- Events: Planning immersive brand experiences
He’ll also take the reins on social media strategy. Smith brings 19.1 million Instagram followers—that’s a lot of eyeballs.
His first designs will show up at Paris men’s fashion week in January 2026. Expect an early capsule collection in select boutiques and online.
Paris Relocation and Significance for Louboutin
Smith is packing up for Paris to dive into his new role at the French fashion house. Being there lets him work closely with the design team.
The men’s category now makes up 24 percent of Louboutin’s business. Still, it’s been slipping lately.
CEO Alexis Mourot thinks Smith can turn things around. “I think we can double the men’s business in the next couple of years,” Mourot said.
The company already has men’s stores in Paris and New York. They want to expand even further.
Collaboration and Influence with Christian Louboutin
Smith and Louboutin actually share a bunch of creative interests outside fashion. They both love ancient architecture, music, and dance.
“We both have our own unique style of dressing that is very particular to us,” Smith said. Their creative workflows are oddly similar, and they’re constantly bouncing ideas around.
Louboutin will still oversee the men’s category, but Smith leads design and image. The founder admires Smith’s creative reach—music, photography, film, you name it.
Smith’s resume includes co-founding streetwear label MSFTSrep and working with New Balance. He plans to launch MSFTSRep Infinity, shifting focus to Louboutin for now.
Anticipated Impact on Fashion and Brand Presence
Smith’s appointment hints at big changes for Christian Louboutin’s men’s division. His first designs land in January 2026, and the company hopes to double men’s business soon after.
Upcoming Collections and Paris Fashion Week Debut
Jaden Smith will show his first designs in January during men’s fashion week in Paris. An “avant-premiere capsule” drops at select boutiques and on Christianlouboutin.com.
The debut fall 2026 collection arrives in stores by May 2026. Smith will keep up the pace with four collections a year—shoes, leather goods, accessories, all of it.
The 27-year-old creative director is obsessed with shoes. He’s got a huge archive for reference, digging into materials and construction details.
Collection Timeline:
- January 2026: Capsule release
- May 2026: First full collection in stores
- Ongoing: Four collections per year
Innovative Campaigns and Brand Events
Smith will dream up campaigns, events, and immersive experiences for the men’s division. With 19.1 million Instagram followers, he’s got a solid platform for brand messaging.
Christian Louboutin says Smith brings a “richer universe that goes beyond the fashion perimeter.” The guy’s background covers music, film, photography, activism—the works.
Louboutin appreciates Smith’s knack for weaving stories around products. While Louboutin is all about colors and materials, Smith shapes the brand image and social media vibe.
His generation brings a whole new mentality to brand communication. Smith’s creative style pushes past traditional marketing into real brand experiences.
Smith’s Vision for the Men’s Division
CEO Alexis Mourot expects to double the men’s business in the next couple of years with Smith at the wheel. The division sits at 24 percent of total business, but it’s been losing ground.
Smith cares about sustainability, which lines up with company goals. One of his first questions? How’s the brand doing on environmental efforts?
Current Men’s Division:
- 24% of total business
- ~125 global points of sale
- 50% sneakers, 50% leather soles
- Stores in Paris and New York
Smith leads creatively while Louboutin keeps an eye on things. Both designers share a love for color, self-expression, and detail.
Broader Implications for Luxury Fashion
This move shows luxury fashion is ready to embrace celebrity creative directors. Smith joins a growing list of entertainers stepping into high-fashion leadership.
His distinctive style and forward-thinking approach could nudge menswear trends in new directions. The partnership suggests luxury brands are chasing younger audiences and new perspectives.
Smith’s streetwear background with MSFTSrep and New Balance brings fresh energy to classic luxury footwear. He’s launching MSFTSRep Infinity but focusing mainly on Louboutin for now.
Luxury houses are clearly adapting to changing tastes. Smith’s digital savvy and creative range feel like the future of fashion leadership.
His focus on artistic expression and community resonates with younger luxury shoppers who want real brand connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jaden Smith’s appointment as Christian Louboutin’s first men’s creative director has people talking. His fashion experience mostly comes from New Balance collaborations, and his first collection drops January 2025.
What experience does Jaden Smith have in fashion design?
Jaden Smith’s fashion design background is pretty limited. Most of his footwear experience comes from working on sneakers with New Balance.
He’s better known as an actor, rapper, and entrepreneur, and he hasn’t had formal luxury shoe design training. Still, Smith has worn Louboutin shoes since he was 7, so he brings a true fan’s perspective.
His unconventional background is a real departure from the usual industry hires.
How will Jaden Smith’s appointment impact the direction of Christian Louboutin’s men’s line?
Smith says he wants his designs to focus on wearability and utility. He imagines each shoe paired with specific outfits—pants, shorts, even swim trunks. Why not?
This move lets Christian Louboutin focus more on the women’s business. Men’s products only make up 24% of sales, so there’s room to grow.
What has been the industry reaction to Jaden Smith becoming the men’s creative director for Christian Louboutin?
The appointment has sparked debate about nepotism in fashion. Some call Smith a “nepo-baby” because of his famous parents.
Critics wonder if his celebrity status mattered more than traditional design credentials. Christian Louboutin himself said Smith was the only candidate considered. The designer emphasized their shared creative vision and natural connection.
Can we expect a significant style shift in Christian Louboutin’s men’s collection under Jaden Smith?
Smith wants to bring outdoor utility into Louboutin’s famously elegant footwear. He’s really leaning into practical wearability but still insists on keeping that luxury feel.
He’s grounding his vision in real-world functionality. Smith talks about designing shoes for all kinds of occasions and outfit pairings, hinting at a more lifestyle-driven direction.
When will we see Jaden Smith’s first collection for Christian Louboutin?
Smith’s first designs drop in January 2025 at Louboutin stores. The debut menswear line will show during Paris Fashion Week that same month.
There’s also an avant-premiere collection arriving in stores at the same time. Smith’s keeping most design details under wraps, but he did tease a tall red-bottomed boot as a preview.
How has Jaden Smith’s previous work influenced his new role at Christian Louboutin?
Smith finds inspiration in artists like Salvador Dalí, Yves Klein, and Marcel Duchamp. He weaves their influence into his creative process, which is honestly pretty fascinating.
His background stretches across music, acting, and business. That mix gives him a fresh, sometimes unpredictable approach to shoe design.
Working with New Balance on sneaker collaborations gave him a solid starting point for footwear development. And let’s not forget—he’s been a Louboutin fan since he was a kid, so his perspective comes with some serious history.
