Overview

• Smith becomes the brand’s first creative lead for the men’s line, a role confirmed this week by the French house.
• He will relocate to Paris and unveil a capsule in January 2026 at Paris Men’s Fashion Week, followed by his debut full collection.
• His remit covers four annual collections across shoes, leather goods and accessories, plus brand storytelling through events and immersive activations.
• Menswear accounts for roughly 24% of Louboutin’s business, with the appointment expected to boost cultural reach as Christian Louboutin concentrates more on the women’s line.
• The hire follows a broader industry shift toward artist-led creative roles; Louboutin called the choice intuitive, while Smith cited MSFTSrep and a New Balance collaboration as part of his fashion background.