The prestigious French maison Chanel has ushered in a new era. On December 12, Chanel officially announced the appointment of Matthieu Blazy as its new creative director, putting an end to months of industry speculation.
Former Bottega Veneta creative director Matthieu Blazy is set to officially join Chanel in April 2025 and present his debut collection in October of the same year. Blazy will oversee haute couture, ready-to-wear, and accessories collections, reporting directly to Bruno Pavlovsky, President of Fashion and President of Chanel SAS.
Chanel had been carefully searching for a new leader since Virginie Viard announced her departure in June 2023. While industry rumors swirled with names like Hedi Slimane, John Galliano, and Simon Porte Jacquemus, it was Blazy who ultimately secured the coveted position. Pavlovsky explained the decision: “Blazy has a proven track record of reenergizing products in a short time, as seen at Bottega Veneta, where this became his signature. His arrival perfectly fits Chanel’s dynamic vision.”
Blazy expressed his excitement in a statement: “I am thrilled and honoured to join the wonderful House of Chanel. I look forward to meeting all the teams and writing this new chapter together.”
A Stellar Career and Proven Achievements
Blazy has honed his craft at the forefront of luxury fashion. His career spans roles at Calvin Klein under Raf Simons and Celine under Phoebe Philo, among other prestigious brands. Notably, during his tenure as creative director at Bottega Veneta, which began in 2021, he led the brand to a 5% increase in revenue during the third quarter of 2024—the only Kering brand to achieve growth during that period.
Blazy’s designs are characterized by sophistication, mature elegance, and exceptional craftsmanship. Moreover, his talent for orchestrating innovative fashion shows has garnered widespread acclaim. One standout example was his Spring 2025 show featuring leather beanbag chairs in the shapes of various animals, a bold and unforgettable spectacle.
The Dawn of a New Chapter at Chanel
In recent years, Chanel has solidified its position as a leading luxury brand, achieving $19.7 billion in revenue in 2023, a 16% year-on-year increase. Against this backdrop, Blazy takes on the significant responsibility of creating 10 collections annually, spanning haute couture to prêt-à-porter. How he envisions and shapes the future of Chanel is eagerly anticipated by the entire fashion industry.
The arrival of Blazy, bringing fresh energy to Chanel’s 114 years of tradition, marks the dawn of a new era. While carrying great expectations and responsibilities, his career is well-backed by achievements that fully support his role.