The most talked-about role in fashion has officially been filled, as Matthieu Blazy is named the next artistic director of Chanel.

The role has been open since Virginie Viard stepped down in June 2024, and will see Blazy responsible for all haute couture, ready-to-wear and accessories collections.

In a joint statement, Alain Wertheimer, global executive chairman, and Leena Nair, global CEO of Chanel said "[Blazy's] vision and talent will reinforce the energy of the brand and our position as a leader in luxury. Under Bruno Pavlovsky’s leadership, we are confident that Matthieu Blazy will continue to shape what’s next and write a new page in Chanel’s creation."

Blazy joins from Bottega Veneta, having brought great critical and commercial success to the brand during his three-year tenure. Prior to this, the Blegian designer graduated from Brussels’s La Cambre in 2007, before a stint Raf Simons, and serving as the designer for Maison Margiela's couture line. In 2014, he was appointed senior designer at Céline, under Phoebe Philo (rumour has it that Philo headhunted Blazy herself), then in 2016, VP of design for womenswear and menswear at Calvin Klein. In 2020, he joined Daniel Lee at Bottega Veneta as design director, and was appointed creative director of the brand in 2021, after Lee's sudden exit.

Blazy is only the fourth designer to ever be awarded the top job at Chanel, following in the footsteps of Viard, Karl Lagerfeld,  and Coco Chanel. He will be tasked with designing ten collections per year, with the first to be unveiled in October 2025.

“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,” Blazy said.