Chanel appoints Matthieu Blazy as artistic director
After months of intense speculation the second largest fashion brand in the world has named its new artistic director of collections.
Chanel has appointed Matthieu Blazy to one of the most desired jobs in fashion, naming him artistic director of fashion collections.
The appointment of Blazy, currently the creative director of Bottega Veneta, ushers in a new era for the French fashion, couture and beauty house and follows an intensive six month search for the right candidate.
Blazy succeeds Virginie Viard, who abruptly exited in June after five years in the role, and before that a long-time stint as the deputy to Karl Lagerfeld. Lagerfeld, the ultimate showman, led the brand for 36 years until his death in 2019, transforming it from slightly fusty to a global fashion, celebrity and cultural juggernaut.
Since joining Italian fashion house Bottega Veneta in 2021, Blazy, 40, attracted cultural, celebrity and critical clout for his designs that fused the craftsmanship, handwork and materials of Bottega Veneta’s heritage with fresh and beautiful designs.
Blazy – who also had stints at Phoebe Philo and with Raf Simons at Calvin Klein – will be succeeded at Bottega Veneta by Louise Trotter, who moves from Carven. This year has been one of disruption in fashion, and a resulting carousel of designer shifts. Beyond Chanel and Bottega Veneta, in 2025 there will be creative director debuts at Celine, Givenchy, Lanvin, Tom Ford and Dries Van Noten, to name a few. Just this week John Galliano announced he would be leaving Maison Margiela after a ten year stint.
Bruno Pavlovksy, the long-time president of fashion at Chanel, told industry publication The Business of Fashion that the appointment represents a new chapter for the brand.
As he pointed out, with nearly USD $20 billion in annual revenue and one of the few top fashion houses still in private hands, Chanel needs “evolution” not revolution. Its ‘codes’ – the tweed, the camellias, the little black dresses are so universally known.
“We didn’t choose Matthieu to just ‘do Chanel,’ we chose him so he could push the boundaries of what Chanel is, for the future,” Pavlovsky told the BoF. “He will bring his modernity, his way of working — Chanel is ready to let itself be transported.”
The appointment comes after months of intense speculation and fantasy football style ‘trades’, with the industry acknowledging that Blazy is the right man for the job. The artistic director of Chanel creates 10 collections a year, including haute couture, ready-to-wear and cruise, and is also involved in the brand’s campaigns. As Vogue US’ Jose Criales-Unzueta noted for Vogue Business,
“This was an impossible job to hire: it had to be someone with tried and true commercial success, someone well-liked within the industry who would start off with enough goodwill to propel them forward and whose appointment would be cause for celebration as opposed to an eyebrow-raiser. Someone who gives a good interview and who industry people — critics, editors, and power players alike — actually like to speak to. Someone who is known as a talent but who is not known to be led by their ego. Someone whose main priority would be designing for the house of Chanel and everything that comes with it, as opposed to looking to the outside for opportunities.”
Alain Wertheimer, global executive chairman, and Leena Nair, global chief executive of Chanel said in a joint statement, “Matthieu Blazy is one of the most gifted designers of his generation. His vision and talent will reinforce the energy of the brand and our position as a leader in luxury. Under Bruno Pavlovsky’s leadership, we are confident that Matthieu Blazy will continue to shape what’s next and write a new page in Chanel’s creation.”
Blazy will start in the role in April 2025, with his first collection to be unveiled during Paris Fashion Week in September.
