LVMH is hedging its bets on Matthew M. Williams to deliver a successful new chapter for Givenchy after Clare Waight Keller’s departure. While the latter’s approach to house codes was to tread on the more understated side, Williams makes a bold splash for his spring-summer 2021 debut. Revisiting the Givenchy archives, Williams explores Lee Alexander McQueen’s brashness and Hubert de Givenchy’s penchant for sharp tailoring as a starting point. However, Williams’ method of designing is not to follow a strict theme but to build a wardrobe piece by piece. “You find the pieces of the puzzle for a collection, building it from symbols and signs, but never forgetting the reality of the person who will wear it and bring it to life,” says Williams. “The women and men should be powerful and effortless, equal and joyful, a reflection of who they really are – only more so. It’s about finding the humanity in luxury.”
Givenchy Spring/Summer 2021 Men’s Collection
