Matthieu Blazy has been appointed as the new artistic director of Chanel, surprising many in the fashion industry. With an impressive background at Bottega Veneta, his expertise in leather craftsmanship positions him well for the role. Blazy faces the challenge of revitalizing the iconic brand while respecting its heritage, as Chanel has seen only three artistic directors in its history. Anticipation builds for his upcoming collections, with a debut expected during Paris Fashion Week in September 2025.
Exciting developments are unfolding! In a surprising twist during the shocking announcement of Virginie Viard’s exit last June, a plethora of names emerged as potential successors for the artistic director position at the legendary fashion house. Hedi Slimane, Marc Jacobs, John Galliano—everyone was mentioned, except for one. With Matthieu Blazy’s appointment officially confirmed on December 12, an unexpected candidate has emerged to take the helm of Chanel fashion. “We were all very surprised to see him come out of the hat,” remarked the leader of a rival house.
Yet, upon closer examination, Matthieu Blazy’s selection seems almost inevitable. With a robust background at Martin Margiela, Céline, and Calvin Klein, he has been steering the ship at Bottega Veneta since 2020. This mid-sized Italian brand, which generated 1.6 billion euros in revenue in 2023 and is owned by Kering, has undergone a remarkable transformation under his guidance. “This is very bad news for Bottega Veneta, but very clever on Chanel’s part,” commented a well-informed industry expert.
A Monumental Challenge Awaits… and a Commensurate Salary!
For someone so young, taking charge of a colossal entity at just forty presents quite the gamble. Even his future superior acknowledges this reality. “This is the great challenge for Chanel: possessing the talent, alongside the desire and capability to integrate into this organization,” Bruno Pavlovsky, president of Chanel’s fashion division, shared in a recent interview. The financial stakes are high as well; while Matthieu Blazy may not match the marketability of Pharrell Williams at Louis Vuitton—arguably the highest-paid artistic director in fashion history, earning around ten million euros annually—his salary will likely see a significant increase, tripling from his previous earnings. It’s essential to recognize that Chanel, with nearly 19 billion euros in revenue for 2023, dwarfs his former employer by a substantial margin…
Although Chanel does not publicly disclose its sales breakdown by category, it is estimated that leather goods constitute over half of the brand’s business! Matthieu Blazy has already made a name for himself in leather craftsmanship during his tenure at Bottega Veneta. Fashion enthusiasts will recall the stunning first look from the 2022 show featuring Kate Moss, donned in what appeared to be a simple ensemble of a fluid shirt and jeans. In reality, the entire outfit was a masterful trompe-l’œil, crafted entirely from leather! This clever innovation certainly caught the attention of Chanel’s creative team…including Marion Destenay Falempin, head of creative resources, who highlighted his “slightly offbeat side, this touch of humor that helps to lighten the fashion world.”
Introducing a Fresh Face for Chanel 2.0: “Neither Karl nor Virginie”
While Matthieu Blazy’s expertise in leather and his ability to refresh classic designs will serve him well, he faces the daunting task of carving his niche within a house steeped in heritage—one that prominently features its logo on nearly every piece. More critically, Chanel is a brand where change is a rarity. The fashion house has only seen three artistic directors since its inception: Gabrielle Chanel herself, Karl Lagerfeld, who led for over 35 years until his passing in 2019, and Virginie Viard, Lagerfeld’s long-time collaborator. The significant legacy that Virginie Viard grappled with ultimately led to her inability to inspire with new collections. “With her, this great leader became so locked into his heritage that he no longer inspired,” remarked an insightful industry observer.
It’s now up to Matthieu Blazy to embody a revamped version of Chanel—one that is younger and more innovative. Can he be the new Karl Lagerfeld, charismatic and flamboyant to the point of caricature? “He has the potential to elevate Chanel, but to do so, he must be neither Karl nor Virginie,” advises our industry insider.
And a Delightful Personality to Match!
So, when can we expect the red carpet rollout? The December 12 announcement indicates that Blazy will officially join the house in 2025, but his actual start at Rue Cambon is anticipated to occur within a few months. “He will join us in April. We can’t wait to welcome him and get down to business,” Bruno Pavlovsky stated. Many are hopeful for a debut collection by Matthieu Blazy during the upcoming Paris Fashion Week in September, further enhancing the allure of Paris!
After six months of uncertainty among the talented teams at Rue Cambon, anticipation is palpable. Not only is Matthieu Blazy a creative force, but those who have collaborated with him describe him as one of the kindest artistic directors in the industry. In a world often dominated by divas, this makes him a refreshing and significant figure—a true cultural exception.