Back in September, Jaden Smith sparked widespread debate when he was announced as the new Men’s Creative Director for French luxury brand Christian Louboutin. In the role, the 27-year-old is set to oversee the creation of four collections each year, and his designs were just unveiled at Paris Fashion Week on January 21.
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Jaden Smith Debuts His First Collection for Christian Louboutin
Now that the collection has been revealed at the debut launch party, he is once again facing criticism, with some calling it “awful” and others questioning how involved he actually was in the design process, based on a newly released behind-the-scenes clip.
In the video, the rapper and singer wears a layered look that includes a white collared shirt, a buttoned denim jacket, and a long black coat worn on top. Red paint smeared across the upper half of his face added to the grunge-inspired, dramatic feel of the overall aesthetic.
He carefully inspects and adjusts each piece in the collection, flipping through cookbooks, photos, and trying on select items, including an oversized backpack with multiple pockets. He also showed off sleek patent leather boots from the lineup.
“We’ve been developing this for about nine to 10 months. I’ve been coming here to Paris and working with the team and developing this…trying to build a design language…to create something that inspires people, and creates whimsy and makes people excited about what’s to come,” he stated in the video clip.
His parents, Will and Jada Smith, were also in attendance, stepping out together after months as they showed support for their son. At the Men’s Fall/Winter 2026 Paris Fashion Week event, the couple coordinated in matching black ensembles and posed for photos alongside models wearing pieces from Jaden’s collection. His sister, Willow Smith, was also present at the launch party.
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Social Media Reacts
However, on social media, many users were quick to share negative reactions to both Jaden being cast in the role and his designs.
“The poor actual design team that has to sit through this,” said one user.
A second said, “Feel sorry for all the talented fashion design students that would have loved and deserved a shot at this. #LivingInANepoWorld.”
“Sometimes I think of the kid from the bad side of town that has more talent in their little finger than one of these nepo babies, and I mourn the loss of writing, art, and design we may never get because these guys took their place. In every sphere,” commented a third.
A fourth claimed, “Just to be clear, he didn’t design, sample, source materials, pattern make, or construct any of the products that will be presented.”
“Is this an actual joke?” Asked another.
“Remember when people got things based on merit and not who their parents are,” commented someone else.
Another user added, “'We’ve been developing this' meaning there’s a faceless team of people who have actually been developing it for him just for him to show up and sit in front of cameras.”
One user joked, “Was Jaden picked because Brooklyn Beckham was already busy?”
A small group of people came to his defense, writing:
“The designs are cool; if you were born rich, you’d flaunt too. He’s just accomplishing things… his success isn’t stopping you from succeeding as well…”
“He is a nepo, but he is a genius; he has always been!”
“That bag with 6,000 pockets i kinda like.”
