Chanel designates Matthieu Blazy as its latest artistic head
In a public announcement, Chanel's fashion division president, Bruno Pavlovsky, expressed his "joy" over Blazy's appointment. He believed that Blazy would successfully mix Chanel's legacy and traditions with the studio, ateliers, and craft shops, through continual dialogue. He acknowledged Blazy's bold personality, inventive techniques, passion for excellence and fine materials, which would steer Chanel towards exciting, uncharted territories.
Blazy, aged 40, has spent more than four years at Bottega Veneta, serving as its creative director for three years. His collections have been acclaimed for their unique perspective and playful refinement. His signature style includes creating the illusion of flannel shirts, paper shopping bags, and denim jeans on leather. This innovative approach led to commercial success for Bottega Veneta, a feat rarely accomplished in the fashion industry. Despite Kering's parent company reporting decreased revenue for other prominent brands such as Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci, Bottega Veneta observed growth in sales during the first half of 2024.
Blazy, born in Paris, is of French-Belgian origins. His impressive resume includes internships under Nicholas Ghesquière at Balenciaga and John Galliano. After graduating from La Cambre visual arts school in Brussels in 2007, he joined Raf Simons' self-titled label as a menswear designer and later collaborated with him at Calvin Klein. He briefly worked at Maison Margiela and Céline before joining the Chanel family.
Blazy is renowned for his refined tailoring, generous use of leather, and unconventional accessories. However, his association with Chanel represents a significant shift in the brand's aesthetic. This transformation could also be an attempt to modernize and prepare Chanel for the future, as implied by Chanel's global CEO, Leena Nair, who expressed a desire to shape the future and implement a forward-thinking approach in May.
Viard, 62, departed from Chanel in June after a five-year tenure as artistic director following Lagerfeld's death in 2019. Although she served as an intern at Chanel in 1987 and spent decades working alongside Lagerfeld, popularly referred to as her "right arm" and "left arm," her connection to the house spanned three decades.
In regards to his new responsibilities, Blazy stated, "I am excited and deeply honored to join the prestigious House of Chanel. I eagerly look forward to working with all the teams and beginning this new chapter together."
In related news, Bottega Veneta appointed Louise Trotter as its new creative director.
Blazy's unique fashion style, characterized by unconventional accessories and innovative approaches to traditional materials, is expected to bring a refreshing change to Chanel's aesthetic. His appointment signifies a shift towards modernity and preparing Chanel for future trends, aligning with Chanel's global CEO's vision.
Blazy's successful blend of fashion and style at Bottega Veneta, such as making leather look like flannel shirts, has earned him a reputation for pushing fashion boundaries and achieving commercial success.
