French luxury house Chanel announced on June 9 that it has appointed Marie-Laure Cérède as Director of its Jewelry Creation Studio. Cérède will join the company in October 2026 and oversee the creation of both precious jewelry and high jewelry collections.
The appointment also marks the succession of Patrice Leguéreau, who passed away in 2024. Leguéreau led Chanel’s jewelry creation for 15 years and is widely recognized for his significant contribution to the development of the house’s high jewelry universe.
Summary
- Chanel has appointed Marie-Laure Cérède as Director of its Jewelry Creation Studio.
- Cérède will join the house in October 2026 and oversee both precious jewelry and high jewelry creations.
- She succeeds Patrice Leguéreau, who passed away in 2024.
- Cérède brings extensive experience from Cartier and Harry Winston.
- The appointment signals a new creative chapter for Chanel’s jewelry division.
A Creative Leader Shaped by Cartier
A native of France, Cérède began her career at Cartier after graduating from ESCP Europe. She later joined Harry Winston, where she was responsible for the artistic direction of the brand’s jewelry and watchmaking activities before returning to Cartier in 2016.
Since then, she has served as Creative Director of Watches and Jewelry, leading the development of numerous creations across both categories. Throughout her career, she has established a reputation for balancing heritage, craftsmanship, and contemporary design.
At Chanel, Cérède will oversee all precious jewelry and high jewelry creations. She will report directly to Frédéric Grangié, President of Watches and Fine Jewelry, and will work closely with Arnaud Chastaingt, Director of the house’s Watchmaking Creation Studio, to help shape Chanel’s creative vision.
Commenting on the appointment, Grangié said: “Her approach to creativity as a delicate balance between heritage, emotion, audacity, and restraint will bring a new perspective to the Chanel codes that define our unique creations. Marie-Laure’s imagination and deep expertise in craft and knowledge of gemology will take Chanel in exciting new directions.”
In a joint statement, Chanel Global Executive Chairman Alain Wertheimer and Global Chief Executive Officer Leena Nair added: “Marie-Laure Cérède is one of the most talented, refined, and accomplished creative directors of her generation. Her vision, creative ingenuity, and distinct talent to lead creative studios will shape the next chapter of Chanel’s creative story for jewelry.”
Cérède also expressed her enthusiasm for joining the house, stating: “I am honored and moved to join Chanel, a maison of singular cultural force and exceptional discipline that continues to question convention, redefine femininity and express modernity through form and spirit. I am looking forward to meeting the teams and writing the new chapter together.”
Bringing with her decades of experience gained at Cartier, Cérède is now set to lead Chanel’s jewelry creation into its next phase. The house’s new creative chapter will officially begin in October 2026.
Copyright © 2026 Oui Speak Fashion. All rights reserved.
Oui Speak Fashion (OSF)® is a New York-based Global Fashion, Beauty & Luxury Business Media Platform.