Jaden Smith Becomes Christian Louboutin’s First Men’s Creative Director

Jaden Smith is collaborating with Christian Louboutin.

According to Women’s Wear Daily (WWD), the 27-year-old rapper, actor, and son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, will serve as the luxury brand’s first men’s creative director.

In his new role, Smith will move to Paris, where he will design men’s shoes, leather goods, and accessories, while also curating campaigns, events, and immersive experiences. Smith is scheduled to debut his first collection in January during Paris Men’s Fashion Week and oversee four collections annually.

“This is one of the biggest honors of my life, and I feel a lot of pressure to be able to live up to everything that Christian has done for the house, and also stepping into such a serious role,” Smith told WWD.

The collaboration builds on a six-year friendship between Smith and Louboutin, which began after a chance encounter in Paris, according to PEOPLE. Their relationship grew from shared creative ideas and artistic visions.

In a press release shared with PEOPLE, Louboutin said, “When I first met Jaden, I saw in him a natural fit for the Maison. His world is rich and multidimensional, his style and cultural sensibility are inspiring and his curiosity and openness are remarkable.”

He added, “I felt that with his creative direction our men’s collection would evolve in an exciting and dynamic way. He feels like the perfect addition to our creative team, and I am truly looking forward to working with him on our men’s collections.”

Louboutin told WWD that the collaboration allows him to focus more on the women’s side of the business. The men’s line currently accounts for nearly a quarter of the brand’s revenue but has declined in recent years.

Smith’s new position marks a professional milestone for him and his ventures. He also co-founded JUST Water, a sustainable water company focused on reducing plastic use and offering eco-friendly options, among other endeavors. He also expanded his philanthropic efforts with projects like the “I Love You” food truck and restaurant, which provides free meals to people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles.

“Merging my vision with Christian’s comes quite naturally because we see the world in a very similar way,” Smith said in a press release shared with PEOPLE.

He added, “It isn’t just a title — it’s a creative home. Christian has given me a place to explore, to learn, and to create freely. His legacy is built on hard work and joy, and I want to carry that forward.”

Smith’s bold approach to style has been widely documented, from wearing a white Batman suit to Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s wedding, as PEOPLE previously reported, to accessorizing with his cut-off locs at the 2017 Met Gala, as reported by Vogue.

He will now bring his vision, along with his entrepreneurial and philanthropic experience, to one of the world’s most recognizable luxury brands.