Chanel Announces Matthieu Blazy As Its New Artistic Director
The former Bottega Veneta designer will join the maison in April 2025, presenting his first collection for S/S 26
The biggest vacancy in fashion has been filled – six months after Virginie Viard left Chanel, the French maison has announced that Matthieu Blazy will be its new artistic director.
The French-Belgian designer was formerly the creative director at Bottega Veneta, which he joined in November 2021, following in the footsteps of Daniel Lee. Matthieu will join Chanel in April 2025, with his first collection due to be presented in October 2025.
The Parisian designer was born in 1984 and studied at La Cambre in Brussels before cutting his teeth as a menswear designer under Raf Simons. This was followed by successful stints at Margiela, Phoebe Philo, and Calvin Klein, but Matthieu’s tenure at Bottega Veneta proved the depth of his talent, revealing his nuanced respect for heritage, savoir-faire and refined artisanry – qualities he will require in spades as he ascends to the helm of the French juggernaut.
Speculation has swirled over who might assume the role ever since Virginie’s exit from the brand in June, and it is without doubt the most coveted job among a cluster of artistic director vacancies that have arisen in the last 12 months.
Virginie was the long-time manager of Chanel’s studio and the right-hand woman to Karl Lagerfeld, and upon his death in 2019, Virginie was promoted as his successor – the logical choice to continue his legacy and long-term vision. Upon her exit, many names have circled the industry’s rumour mill as her replacement, including Marc Jacobs, Simon Porte Jacquemus, Hedi Slimane, John Galliano and Daniel Roseberry.
Now, all that remains is for the lights to go up, the music to kick in, and for the first models to stride down Matthieu’s runway – the world awaits with baited breath.
