Why Matthieu Blazy at Chanel just makes sense

This past week, Chanel announced Matthieu Blazy as the new creative director of the luxury fashion house, sending waves of excitement and dismay among his loyal followers. While many are heartbroken at the thought of no longer anticipating Blazy’s electrifying Bottega Veneta runways, there’s also a sense of disappointment that it wasn’t someone like Marc Jacobs—who could inject a playful resurgence into the brand—or Hedi Slimane, who might have brought it a grunge-infused energy. Still, Blazy’s decision to take the helm of this iconic house comes as no surprise.

Blazy joined Bottega Veneta in 2021, succeeding Daniel Lee after Lee’s brief but impactful tenure at the brand. Blazy’s time there helped him develop the skills needed to create his own masterpieces. From the start, his passion for craftsmanship and his experimentation with texture and optical illusion captured the fashion world’s imagination. Each collection was celebrated as the best of the season, solidifying his reputation as a visionary.

Blazy’s dedication to intricate craftsmanship paid off spectacularly. His insistence on an architectural framework for every piece ensured that, when models took to the runway, it was nothing short of cinematic. Whether it was his mesmerising use of leather to create almost mirage-like pieces that beckoned spectators to get closer and inspect every detail, or the dramatic layers of fringe and beading that shimmered with every movement, Blazy’s work was always designed to captivate. His genius didn’t go unnoticed, catching the eye of headhunters—including Chanel.

The current game of creative director musical chairs has sparked both excitement and frustration in the fashion world. Speculation about who’s leaving and who’s going where has created an atmosphere that feels like the fashion equivalent of the Super Bowl.

So why does Blazy’s move to Chanel feel like such a natural next step? It’s all about the house’s atelier. Among the great fashion houses, Chanel has perhaps the most impressive team of artisans. Now, Blazy has access to one of the world’s most celebrated couture ateliers—think about that for a moment: Matthieu Blazy, doing couture. Marvelous. The atelier is home to a group of skilled tailors and embroiderers, each focused on every detail of a garment, from embroidery to lining to zippers to buttons. The possibilities are endless. For someone with Blazy’s hunger for artistry and expertise, he’s going to feel like a kid in a candy shop.

This is the beginning of a new artistic era for Blazy. With a much larger creative canvas to work on, his vision has the potential to evolve in intriguing ways. While Bottega Veneta is renowned for its leather goods, Chanel’s legacy is built on iconic silhouettes. Moving into this world will be a natural fit for Blazy, and we can’t wait to see what he does with it.

While some were hesitant at first—we’ve been burnt before by abrupt creative director changes mid-career, especially when a house is at its peak. But there is genuine excitement for Blazy. The wheels are already in motion, and Chanel desperately needs a fresh perspective. September can’t come soon enough.