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It’s a new day at Chanel! Matthieu Blazy has been named creative director at the French fashion brand.
Chanel Cruise 2025 (Courtesy of Chanel)
Blazy has been Bottega Veneta’s creative director since November 2021. During his tenure at the Italian label, he became known for emphasizing Bottega’s rich brand heritage and artisanship—as seen in pieces like the Sardine tote, Andiamo satchel, Knot heels, Mostra platforms, and Adam sandals. Blazy’s notably the fourth creative director at Chanel, following Virginie Viard, Karl Lagerfeld, and Coco Chanel herself. Viard abruptly left brand in June.
Virginie Viard (IMaxTree)
Karl Lagerfeld
Blazy’s vision for Chanel is sure to be revealed at his first runway show for the brand, held for its Spring 2026 collection at Paris Fashion Week in October 2025. The move follows widespread industry speculation regarding who’d replace Virginie Viard at Chanel, particularly as the role’s remained open since her departure in June. In the interim, recent collections have been designed by the label’s in-house design studio team. Throughout the last several months, in addition to Blazy, designers Thom Browne, Simon Porte Jacquemus, Pieter Mulier, Hedi Slimane, and John Galliano were all rumored to be contenders for the Chanel role—arguably the largest design job in fashion.
As for Bottega? Louise Trotter was just named its creative director this morning, another addition to 2024’s ongoing creative director shuffle. The year has seen a swathe of new appointments and exits, ranging from indie labels to established heavy hitters. Most recently, Galliano left Maison Margiela, while Julien Klausner was appointed Dries Van Noten’s creative director, Michael Rider was appointed Celine’s creative director, Sarah Burton was appointed Givenchy’s creative director, and—within 24 hours of each other—Peter Do (at Helmut Lang) and Phillip Lim (at 3.1 Phillip Lim) departed their respective brands.
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