French fashion house Chanel has appointed Matthieu Blazy as the new artistic director of the house. Matthieu Blazy who was earlier Bottega Veneta design chief was selected as the new creative director after months of fevered speculation about the industry’s most coveted job. As Chanel’s new director, he shall be responsible for all haute couture, ready-to-wear and accessories collections as per the the announced on Thursday.
As the new artistic director Matthieu Blazy shall report into Bruno Pavlovsky, president of Chanel Fashion and Chanel SA. The 40-year-old will oversee all collections for one of the world’s largest luxury brand starting in 2025. The high-profile role has been left vacant since the abrupt departure of Virginie Viard in June.
Chanel creative director change
Global executive chairman, Alain Wertheimer, and global CEO of Chanel, Leena Nair, in a joint statement praised Matthieu Blazy calling him “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.
Many feel that Blazy’s arrival as the artistic director signals a new chapter for Chanel, blending heritage with modernity as the house looks to the future.
Chanel’s new artistic director
Matthieu Blazy born in Paris and graduated from La Cambre in Brussels. He started his fashion career as a menswear designer for Raf Simons. He was globally acclaimed for his transformative vision for Bottega Veneta. Blazy has a reputation of being innovation and having superlative craftsmanship, honed throughout his journey. His stints included working at Raf Simons, Maison Margiela and Cline under Phoebe Philo and recently, as creative director at Bottega Veneta.
Most coveted job in fashion was vacant
Following the sudden departure of Virginie Viard from Chanel in June 2024, the job has remained vacant, culminating in an avalanche of rumors surrounding who would end up with what is arguably the most coveted job in fashion. Viard was the successor for late designer Karl Lagerfeld, and had helmed the storied French brand since 2019 and was just the third creative director in Chanel’s 114-year history. For the past six months, various designers were considered for the coveted position. This included Hedi Slimane, and Simon Porte of Jacquemus.
Chanel a bigger test for Matthieu Blazy
Sales at Chanel has been up 16% in 2023 nearly $20B making it world’s second-largest luxury brand behind Louis Vuitton. Chanel’s CEO Leena Nair, has played a major role in doubling the revenues in the last decade. The new creative director shall play a major role in the next phase of growth.
“I am thrilled and honored to join the wonderful house of Chanel. I look forward to meeting all the teams and writing this new chapter together,” Blazy said.
As Chanel’s new artistic director, Blazy will join the brand in April 2025. He will showcase his first collection for the fashion house in October 2025.
