It’s now official: the crown of French couture has fallen to Matthieu Blazy. Having just left Bottega Veneta as artistic director, the forty-something has been entrusted with Chanel’s Haute Couture, ready-to-wear and accessories collections. For her part, Louise Trotter has just been appointed to replace him at the Italian fashion house he had succeeded in reviving.
It took seven months after Virginie Viard’s departure for Chanel to appoint her replacement.
The day before, a legend – John Galliano, ex-Dior designer – left Maison Margiela. But this time, it’s up to a young prodigy to write his own at Chanel. Not bad for his fortieth birthday! Matthieu Blazy was born in 1984 – a year before Karl Lagerfeld took the helm at the Rue Cambon fashion house.
On December 12, Chanel chose to induct a French-Belgian man, a Bottega Veneta defector: Matthieu Blazy.
Although speculation is over, patience is still required: he is not due to take up his post until April 2025. And her first collection will be unveiled next October.
A new chapter for Chanel
“I am delighted and honored to join the wonderful House of Chanel. I look forward to meeting all the teams and writing this new chapter together,” Matthieu Blazy said in a statement.
Just minutes after announcing his departure from Bottega Veneta after a successful tenure as Creative Director, the Franco-Belgian Parisian has been appointed to Chanel’s top creative post.
He faces a daunting challenge: to reinvigorate the House of Chanel, following in the footsteps of his predecessors, while at the same time establishing his own style in a way that sets him apart from the Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie Viard years.
The polymath with the powdered catogan and tinted glasses had arrived at Chanel in 1983. He succeeded in reviving a faded old house, following the death of its founder in 1971, and remained the sole master on board, creating 17 annual collections over 36 years and making a lasting impression with his feminine, rock and… yet So Chanel.
Following the Kaiser’s untimely death in February 2019, Virginie Viard, his right-hand woman for almost 30 years, made her his natural heir.
Under her tenure, the feminine took a more feminist turn with a more understated chic, described by some as “too Coco Chanel”.
Departed last June to the astonishment of the Fashion Sphere – despite successful sales – the loyal atelier designer was replaced for a time by the House’s in-house studio. This interim period led to the development of the Spring-Summer 2024-2025 collection.
With Virginie Viard gone, Chanel’s creative throne was vacant for the first time in its history. So, like Virginie Viard’s lightning departure, the arrival of a new designer – rumored by some – came as a surprise.
And the choice illustrates the luxury war that seems to be raging in these uncertain times: Chanel has snatched up a talent from Kering, the world’s number-two luxury brand, now in turmoil, with sales slowing at Gucci and stagnation at Saint Laurent.
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Read also > John Galliano leaves Maison Margiela for an unknown destination
Featured Photo: © Chanel
