Jaden Smith is new to the job as creative director, but one thing is certain: he wanted his first collection for Christian Louboutin Men to go beyond the ‘fashion’ space, which is why he organised an immersive exhibition in Paris that bridged visual art, music, and history through sculpture, TV screens and, of course, some of the newest models developed by Smith.
Speaking of the Fall/Winter 2026 collection, Smith stated: “This collection is inspired by the history of working men throughout the centuries — The Stone Masons, The Scribes, The Doctors. It’s inspired by the lost epochs of time and made by hands born from stars forged under immense pressure deep in cosmic space.” With the aim to honour the Maison and its birthplace, the new creative director has found inspiration in cinema (including pioneers like Daguerre, Niépce, and the Lumière brothers), translating that into the Projection Room, a “space of reflection” that hints at what he has in mind: making the signature Louboutin red even more present. As Doja Cat famously sings, “Paint the town red” — in this case, all of Paris.
But Jaden, growing up in LA in the 2000s, was also highly influenced by music, which he’s incorporated into the multidisciplinary exhibition and the collection. A prime example is the Trapman corner, taking its name from a signature silhouette reframed through the prism of 1990s hip-hop: “Hip hop culture is at the centre of my design philosophy, while creating the formal attire for the men of the future,” he commented.
Other models that are highlighted and reworked through Jaden Smith’s eyes are the Corteo, the perfect classic that, according to him, embodies “the businessman, the working man, people who wear a suit, who show up with intention, who build something through discipline and effort.” They tie directly with the Penny loafer, now presented in three iterations: the classic shape, a slingback and sandal versions. In the TCT I Display (stands for ‘Tactical’), Jaden focuses on technical innovation — the result is a shoe version of a tactical waterproof jacket.
Jaden Smith’s Fall/Winter collection for Christian Louboutin, then, is a versatile mix that shows his approach to design: layered, conceptual, and experimental. From more avant-garde pieces like a pair of boots with splashed wax on top to more classic, refined silhouettes, to more informal sneakers and shoes, his first offering for the Maison is a discreet but solid first step into a bright future.
