JADEN SLAMS CHRISTIAN: Jaden Smith’s debut at Christian Louboutin sparks “nepo-baby” debate in fashion…READ MORE

Jaden Smith has officially stepped into the role of men’s creative director at Christian Louboutin.

At just 27, the actor-musician and occasional rapper has bypassed the usual years of design training, portfolio building, and even foundational pattern-making that typically precede such a position.

In fashion parlance, this is a classic case of a “nepo baby taking the shortcut.” If your last name is Smith, why climb the traditional ladder when you can take an elevator straight to the top? The real question, of course, is whether that elevator actually reaches the pinnacle of craftsmanship.

Other nepo babies have made their mark in fashion and on runways—think Iris Law, Lila Moss, or the Hadid sisters—but taking the helm at Christian Louboutin, a maison celebrated for its meticulous craftsmanship, is an entirely different story.