A breakthrough idea struck Christian Louboutin during his meditative morning swim in Paris. It was Jaden Smith who came to mind – the dynamic multi-hyphenate artist and founder of the MSFTSrep brand, whom Louboutin had first met in 2019 at a Los Angeles fashion event. Smith, with his entourage, had confidently introduced himself to the revered designer.
Their paths converged again in Paris, and this time, the more reserved Louboutin made a point to extend his own welcome. Subsequent encounters were brief but always sparked vibrant conversations, a lively exchange of ideas that seemed boundless.
Reflecting in the pool that day, Louboutin pondered: what if this creative synergy could be formalized? Months later, the fashion house made a groundbreaking announcement, naming Jaden Smith as its inaugural men’s creative director. His mandate includes overseeing four annual collections encompassing men’s shoes, leather goods, and accessories. Smith’s initial capsule collection is set to launch online and in select boutiques this January, with his full debut collection following during the men’s fall shows.
We recently sat down with both Mr. Smith and Mr. Louboutin to discuss this exciting appointment. Here’s an edited and condensed version of our conversation.
It’s rare for a luxury fashion house to entrust such a significant role to someone so young and outside the conventional fashion hierarchy. Pharrell’s appointment at Louis Vuitton might be a close comparison, but Jaden is only 27. Do you see this as a considerable risk?
CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN The true risk lies in avoiding any risk, especially in the fast-paced world of fashion. Playing it safe dulls the brand’s message. Where there’s risk, there’s an undeniable excitement. So, I wholeheartedly believe this is a worthwhile and positive risk.
Is this decision primarily driven by a broader business strategy, or is it purely a creative endeavor?
LOUBOUTIN If there’s a business incentive, it’s about Jaden’s unique ability to significantly amplify the visibility of our creations.
Jaden, what is your overarching vision for your inaugural collection?
JADEN SMITH My aim is to craft footwear for the diverse spectrum of men across generations: the grandfather, the father, the eldest son, and the youngest son. Each era has its distinct needs. The patriarch, rooted in a different time, requires shoes tailored to his sensibilities. The father navigates modern life, and his footwear should reflect that. Then there’s the eldest son, who seeks to honor tradition while forging his own path.
Jaden Smith brought his signature style to the Met Gala in May.
Landon Nordeman for The New York Times
And finally, you have the youngest son – my generation – who is all about rebellion and carving his own identity. We are designing for all these archetypes, and that’s the narrative we’re gradually unveiling.
Christian Louboutin at the Bal d’Été at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in July.
Marc Piasecki/Getty Images
What have you discovered about each other that has come as a surprise?
SMITH I was genuinely astonished to learn that Christian is an architect. He’s constantly involved in building projects, yet he masterfully runs this incredible company. He draws inspiration for his buildings from shoes, and vice versa. That dual passion was completely unexpected.
LOUBOUTIN I’ve been incredibly, and delightfully, surprised by Jaden’s remarkable speed. We’ll be discussing a concept, which then needs to be developed by the team. Jaden will sprawl across a pile of pillows with his laptop, and in the most charming way, communicate his need for solo work. Less than an hour later, he’ll have a full presentation ready. His ability to visualize and illustrate our discussions or his own ideas so quickly is astounding. It’s clear why he’s also a musician; his computer is truly his instrument.
He also possesses a powerful ability to rally a creative team, bringing an infectious energy. There’s a running joke now: when Jaden comes to the office, all the women, and even the men, show up looking impeccably dressed. I asked one of my colleagues, “What’s going on? It’s not fashion week.” He replied, “No, it’s not fashion week. It’s Jaden’s week.”
Christian, has collaborating with Jaden shifted your perspective on fashion or your brand in any way?
LOUBOUTIN Jaden has an exceptionally visual mind. When you talk about a project with him, it immediately branches out into numerous directions. Suddenly, photography enters the discussion, then music. When I’m drawing, I tend to focus solely on the drawing. He’s much more expansive in his approach, embracing a wider range of influences.
What common ground have you found between you?
LOUBOUTIN Enthusiasm. Sometimes, our conversations extend beyond just a lace-up shoe. Jaden might bring up a sport, and then from that sport, he’ll observe, “What I appreciate about that sport is the line on the surfboard, often highlighted by a secondary line.” It’s a deeply visual dialogue. The process of building ideas through imagery, and then carrying it all the way through, is wonderful.
There’s this game… I can’t recall its name. It’s like badminton or squash. We’re constantly ‘squashing’ ideas back and forth. I serve the ball – ping! He returns it – ping! He sends it back to me – ping! It’s a game of squash where neither of us needs to win; we both emerge victorious every time.
Jaden, you’ve spoken about incorporating a Dadaist perspective into your designs. Has this philosophy been a significant source of inspiration for you in this role?
SMITH Absolutely, 100 percent. It’s about questioning: When does an object transition from being just a shoe to becoming a sculpture or a piece of art? Where do we draw that line? Exploring and challenging that boundary is central to my approach.
Like Marcel Duchamp. So, should we expect to see a shoe that also functions as a microwave?
SMITH It’s more about the philosophical distinction between a shoe and a sculpture. Christian has profoundly influenced me in this regard. He has created high heels that are essentially sculptures, not always intended for functional wear, but rather to be appreciated as art. Christian is a true artist, and I aspire to uphold that artistic legacy through my design philosophy.
What about accessibility? Jaden, your audience is incredibly diverse, encompassing a wide range of people, not all of whom are in the luxury market. How are you balancing artistic vision with broader accessibility?
SMITH I am certainly considering that aspect, and I’m dedicated to serving my community. While I can’t reveal too much about our upcoming collections just yet, it’s a topic we actively discuss and prioritize in the studio.
Are either of you feeling nervous about this venture?
SMITH I was quite nervous at first, but Christian has been an incredible leader, making me feel completely at ease and equipping me with all the knowledge I need for this role.
LOUBOUTIN I’m more impatient than nervous, I’d say.