7 Ways Jaden Smith's Louis Vuitton Campaign Changed Fashion Forever: A 2025 Retrospective

The 2016 Louis Vuitton campaign featuring Jaden Smith wearing a pleated skirt for the brand’s Spring-Summer womenswear collection remains one of the most pivotal and boundary-shattering moments in modern luxury fashion. Nearly a decade later, as of December 12, 2025, the conversation surrounding gender-fluid style, which the campaign championed, is more relevant than ever, solidifying Smith’s role as a *Gen Z tastemaker* and a true *fashion rebel*. This deep dive explores the campaign's controversial debut, its profound cultural significance, and how the actor’s ongoing relationship with the luxury house, evidenced by his recent appearances at the 2024 and 2025 shows, confirms its lasting legacy. The campaign, titled "Series 4," was not just an advertisement; it was a manifesto against rigid *gender stereotypes* in clothing, setting a powerful precedent for the entire industry.

Jaden Christopher Syre Smith: Biography and Creative Profile

Jaden Smith is an American actor, rapper, singer, and entrepreneur known globally for his eclectic style and philosophical approach to life. His boundary-pushing creativity has made him a defining voice for his generation.

• Full Name: Jaden Christopher Syre Smith
• Born: July 8, 1998, in Malibu, California, USA
• Age (as of 2025): 27
• Parents: Will Smith (Actor/Musician) and Jada Pinkett Smith (Actress/Host)
• Sibling: Willow Smith (Singer/Actress)
• Notable Film Roles: The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), The Karate Kid (2010), After Earth (2013)
• Music Career: Founder of the collective MSFTSrep, known for albums like Syre and Erys.
• Entrepreneurship: Co-founder of JUST Water, an eco-conscious bottled water company.
• Defining Style: Known for embracing *gender-fluid fashion*, often wearing skirts, dresses, and traditionally feminine silhouettes, challenging conventional *menswear* norms.

The Audacious Campaign That Rewrote Fashion History: Louis Vuitton SS16 'Series 4'

The original Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer 2016 (SS16) campaign, known as "Series 4," was the epicenter of the fashion world’s shift toward *gender fluidity*.

Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquière was the visionary behind the move, choosing Jaden Smith—then only 17 years old—to star alongside established female models in the women's ready-to-wear campaign.

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The Significance of the Skirt

The iconic image, photographed by Bruce Weber, featured Smith in a black pleated skirt, a fringed white top, and a leather jacket. This was not a menswear line; it was a clear statement about clothing having no gender. Ghesquière explained his choice by stating that Jaden "represents a generation that has assimilated the codes of true freedom, one that is free of manifestos and questions about gender."

At the time, the fashion industry was already discussing *gender fluidity*, but a major luxury house like Louis Vuitton casting a male celebrity in a women's campaign—specifically in a skirt—was an unprecedented, high-visibility endorsement.

The move was a masterstroke of marketing and cultural commentary, immediately positioning Louis Vuitton as a brand for the *digital age* and for a new generation that rejects binary restrictions.

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The Lasting Impact: How Jaden Smith’s LV Moment Defined a Decade of Genderless Style

The "Series 4" campaign had a profound and lasting impact that extends far beyond the 2016 season. It served as a catalyst for mainstream discussions about *genderless fashion* and individual expression.

1. Normalizing the Menswear Skirt: By wearing the skirt with confidence and style, Smith helped to normalize the once-taboo item in *menswear*. This moment is often cited as a key turning point that influenced other celebrities and designers to experiment with traditionally feminine silhouettes for men.

2. Redefining Masculinity: The image challenged traditional, rigid definitions of masculinity. Smith’s choice to wear the skirt was an act of free expression, proving that clothes are simply fabric and style, independent of the wearer’s gender identity.

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3. Louis Vuitton's Digital Rebrand: The campaign, which also featured a *Final Fantasy* video game character (Lightning), cemented Louis Vuitton's image under Nicolas Ghesquière as a forward-thinking, culturally relevant powerhouse attuned to the desires of the *millennial digital age*.

4. A Blueprint for Gen Z Marketing: The campaign successfully tapped into the core values of *Gen Z*—authenticity, self-expression, and the rejection of labels—creating a blueprint for how luxury brands could meaningfully connect with younger audiences.

A Continued Partnership: Jaden Smith's Louis Vuitton Appearances in 2024 and 2025

Jaden Smith’s connection to Louis Vuitton is not a relic of 2016; it is an active, ongoing partnership that highlights his status as a "Friend of the Maison." His consistent presence at recent runway shows proves that he remains a key figure in the brand’s orbit and a symbol of Ghesquière's modern vision.

His recent high-profile attendance at major shows includes:

• Louis Vuitton Fall Winter 2024/2025 Show: Smith attended the Women's show in Paris on March 5th, 2024, continuing to showcase his unique, evolving style.
• Louis Vuitton Cruise 2025 Show: He was a guest at the Women's Cruise 2025 show in Barcelona, Spain, further cementing his role with the luxury house.
• Louis Vuitton Spring-Summer 2025 Show: Smith was seen leaving the Spring-Summer 2025 fashion show in Paris on October 1st, 2024.
• Louis Vuitton Fall Winter 2025/2026 Show: His presence was also noted at the Fall Winter 2025/2026 show in Paris on March 10th, 2025, demonstrating an enduring relationship that spans almost a decade.

These appearances confirm that Jaden Smith is more than a one-off campaign model; he is a long-term cultural ambassador for the brand’s most progressive values. The 2016 *Louis Vuitton Series 4* campaign was a flashpoint, but his continued presence ensures that the spirit of *gender-fluid fashion* remains at the heart of the luxury conversation. The partnership stands as an enduring symbol of how fashion can and should reflect the social changes of a generation, making Jaden Smith’s contribution to the brand’s history truly invaluable.