Jaden Smith‘s latest fashion venture is earning rave reviews, but some of his promotional images have left the internet scratching its head.
The musician and creative recently unveiled his first full menswear collection since being named Creative Director of Christian Louboutin Men. To celebrate the launch, Smith attended the Christian Louboutin pop-up event in Paris and shared a series of artistic campaign photos that quickly sparked conversation online.
Several of the images featured the Karate Kid actor covered in bright red paint from head to toe. In one behind-the-scenes shot, he posed with red paint covering his face and body while wearing black shorts and a long black coat left open at the front. Another image showed him sporting a black shirt, oversized trousers, and a belt bag from the collection while standing beside a towering red pole with a Parisian mansion in the background.
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Jaden Smith Dons Red Paint
Perhaps the most talked-about photo featured Jaden wearing nothing but red body paint as he stood on a white platform, leaving a trail of red footprints beneath him. See the image here!
At the Paris pop-up event itself, the 27-year-old opted for an all-black ensemble that showcased pieces from the collection. The look included a black tank top, baggy trousers, matching shoes, and an eye-catching chain of interconnected belt bags secured across his torso with straps wrapped around his shoulders and waist.
The event took place on a rooftop overlooking the Paris skyline, and the rapper appeared to be thoroughly enjoying the moment, later describing it as "the best" day of his life.
While fashion insiders praised the collection's bold aesthetic, many social media users were perplexed by the artistic direction of the red paint photos.
“So how is standing n***d in red paint fashion?” one person asked.
“I am so confused at the moment,” another commenter wrote.
Others described the images as “disturbing,” while one user simply remarked, “This is getting weird.”
“This is sad,” another person added.
Additional comments included, “Wow so this is fashion huh,” and, “What is going on?”
Despite the mixed reactions, Smith's unconventional approach is nothing new. Throughout his career, he has consistently embraced boundary-pushing fashion and artistic expression, often generating as much discussion for his creative choices as for the work itself.
Jaden Smith Launches New Louboutin Collection
While he had already built a career as a rapper, actor, and entrepreneur, some critics questioned whether his famous parents—Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith—helped open doors to the prestigious role.
Despite the initial backlash, Jaden has continued to develop his vision for the luxury brand alongside Christian Louboutin, and the partnership appears to be thriving.
Most recently, Smith spoke with Complex about his latest collection, sharing insights into his creative process—and receiving support from his mother along the way. During an invite-only event at the Christian Louboutin Rodeo Drive boutique in Beverly Hills, where pieces from his collection were on display, Jada praised her son's dedication to fashion.
“He really does think out of the box when it comes to fashion,” she told Complex. “Fashion is something that he's really passionate about. He's been studying it for a while. It’s one thing to have an eye and good taste, but it's another thing when you really take fashion and the history of fashion as seriously as he does.”
As for Jaden, he admitted he's still processing the reality of the opportunity. “It still blows my mind,” he said. “I've been doing it for a year, and this is the first time that the world really gets to see what's going on.”
