French luxury giant Chanel has appointed Matthieu Blazy as its new artistic director, marking a significant shift for the iconic brand as it moves beyond the Karl Lagerfeld era. The announcement came shortly after Blazy’s departure from Bottega Veneta, where he had served as creative head since 2020. British designer Louise Trotter will succeed him at Bottega Veneta.

Matthieu Blazy brings an impressive pedigree, with experience at Maison Margiela, Celine, Calvin Klein, and most recently, Bottega Veneta, where he modernized its signature intrecciato patterns and gained acclaim for innovative collaborations. Chanel’s fashion president Bruno Pavlovsky praised Blazy for his “sincere humility and passion for the product.”

20BLAZY 01 pbvq
Matthieu Blazy joins Chanel after a successful stint with Bottega Veneta.

Blazy takes the reins following Virginie Viard’s departure in June. Viard, a longtime muse of Lagerfeld, maintained his legacy during her five-year tenure, helping to grow the brand’s sales while keeping artistic changes minimal.

Blazy’s appointment comes at a crucial time for Chanel, which recently showcased its Spring-Summer collection at Paris Fashion Week and held a spectacular floating runway event in Hangzhou, China. The brand now seeks a fresh creative identity while respecting its storied heritage.

Known for his whimsical designs and Hollywood fanbase, including Michelle Yeoh and Jennifer Lawrence, Blazy faces the challenge of steering Chanel through a luxury market slowdown in China. With Chanel’s annual revenue nearing $20 billion, his vision will be pivotal in shaping the brand’s future.