Chanel has named Matthieu Blazy, former creative director of Bottega Veneta, as its new artistic director. This marks a pivotal transition for the French luxury house as it moves beyond the Karl Lagerfeld era. At 40, Blazy brings extensive experience, having previously worked at Maison Margiela, Celine, and Calvin Klein before joining Bottega Veneta in 2020.
Blazy is celebrated for modernizing Bottega Veneta’s signature intrecciato woven designs and revitalizing its jewelry and perfume lines. His creative leadership attracted a following of Hollywood stars, including Michelle Yeoh and Jennifer Lawrence. At Chanel, Blazy faces the challenge of respecting the brand’s storied heritage while crafting a new identity for the house Coco Chanel built. He also inherits the task of navigating the company, which reported sales of nearly $20 billion last year, through the current slowdown in the Chinese luxury market.
Blazy succeeds Virginie Viard, who stepped down in June after five years at Chanel. Viard, Lagerfeld’s longtime collaborator, had focused on extending his legacy. During the interim, Chanel’s in-house team presented collections, including the spring/summer 2024-2025 line at Paris Fashion Week and a grand show in Hangzhou, China, featuring a floating runway on West Lake.
Blazy’s departure from Bottega Veneta makes way for British designer Louise Trotter, known for her work at Carven. Trotter has been praised for drawing inspiration from real life and her meticulous craftsmanship, making her a fitting successor for the Italian brand.
Meanwhile, John Galliano, one of the most celebrated names in fashion, is leaving Maison Margiela after a transformative decade as its creative director. Under his leadership, Margiela achieved exponential growth, becoming renowned as a cutting-edge couture house. Galliano’s designs graced countless celebrities on major red carpets, including Kim Kardashian, Zendaya, and Miley Cyrus.
Galliano’s tenure at Margiela marked a creative rebirth after his struggles with addiction and controversial past, which led to his dismissal from Dior. He used his platform to advocate for slow and ethical fashion, gender equality, and mental health awareness.
His departure also ends his partnership with Renzo Rosso, founder of OTB Group, which owns Maison Margiela. In a statement, Rosso praised Galliano for redefining Margiela’s legacy. Galliano, in turn, expressed gratitude for rediscovering his creative voice and contributing to fashion with purpose and meaning.
These leadership changes highlight a dynamic period of evolution in the luxury fashion industry.
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