After months of speculation following the departure of Virginie Viard, we now know that French-Belgian designer Matthieu Blazy has been handed the reins to Chanel. Blazy’s departure from former employer Bottega Veneta was announced this afternoon, with news of his Chanel appointment following just 45 minutes after.

In a statement released by Chanel, it’s finally been announced that Blazy will be the new artistic director of the world’s most famous fashion house. “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,” said Blazy.

Blazy’s appointment at Chanel follows Viard’s five-year stint as creative director, who took over following the death of Karl Lagerfeld in 2019. Since the announcement of Viard’s departure in June this year, the fashion world has buzzed with rumours around who would score the top job, with many fingers pointing towards Hedi Slimane, John Galliano and Simon Porte Jacquemus, plus Marc Jacobs publicly throwing his hat in the ring.

But – finally – our questions have been answered, and Blazy is set to present his debut collection for Chanel next year. The 40-year-old designer previously worked for Balenciaga, John Galliano, Maison Margiela, Celine under Phoebe Philo and Calvin Klein under Raf Simons, before being appointed as Bottega’s creative director just three years ago, in 2021. 

Leaving on a high, under Blazy’s creative direction, the Italian brand saw a five per cent jump in revenue during the third quarter of 2024, becoming Kering’s only brand to see positive sales growth. But it’s not just the figures that are proving Blazy’s capabilities: over the past three years, the designer has led Bottega to becoming one of the hottest seats on the fashion week schedule, and will no doubt breathe fresh life into the 114-year-old French maison that is Chanel.