Matthieu Blazy Appointed Chanel’s New Creative Director

Chanel has officially named Matthieu Blazy, a Franco-Belgian designer, as its new artistic director. This announcement comes after the departure of Virginie Viard, who recently left the prestigious fashion house. Blazy, who is set to take the helm in April 2025, will oversee a wide array of fashion, couture, and accessory collections, amounting to ten each year.

The designer, now 40 years old and originally from Paris, brings a wealth of experience to Chanel. He has previously collaborated with notable names in fashion, including Raf Simons and Phoebe Philo at Celine, and held a significant role as creative director at Bottega Veneta. Blazy’s first runway presentation for Chanel is anticipated at the October Paris Fashion Week, coinciding with the Spring/Summer 2026 collection launch.

Blazy will be the fourth individual to lead the iconic brand in its over-a-century history, following in the footsteps of Karl Lagerfeld, Viard, and founder Gabrielle Coco Chanel. In the meantime, the Chanel design team will continue preparations for upcoming couture collections scheduled for January and June, alongside the fall 2025 collection debut in March.

This strategic appointment marks a pivotal moment for Chanel as it looks to innovate and reinforce its legacy in the fashion industry.