Creative Director Matthieu Blazy Debuts Chanel Collection in Paris

Matthieu Blazy was born in 1984 in France and possesses both French and Belgian heritage. Raised in a family close to the arts and craftsmanship, Blazy’s creative journey began early. He studied fashion at La Cambre in Brussels, graduating into a world where the boundaries of art and fashion were fluid. He later landed a formative role with Raf Simons, launching his career in men’s tailoring before moving to Maison Martin Margiela, where his work on artisanal and ready-to-wear collections demonstrated his deft hand at both concept and construction.

Building a Career: Margiela, Céline, Calvin Klein

Blazy’s talents led him to influential roles at Céline under Phoebe Philo and later at Calvin Klein, where he developed a reputation for technical excellence and inventive construction.. Each move was guided by a passion for culture, craft, and storytelling, traits that would soon position him at the center of luxury fashion.

The Bottega Veneta Years (2020–2024)

In 2020, Blazy became ready-to-wear design director at Bottega Veneta, the famed Milanese house synonymous with intrecciato woven leather. By November 2021 he was appointed creative director, succeeding Daniel Lee. His three-year tenure transformed Bottega Veneta: Blazy’s leadership blended material innovation with an egalitarian management style, involving craftspeople deeply in the creative process.

Blazy’s hallmark became poetic restraint, favoring emotional resonance and inventive construction over ostentation. Iconic collections included the trompe-l’œil denim-leather pants (2021), the intrecciato-woven “Kalimero” (2022) and “Andiamo” (2023) handbags, and knitted leather sock-slippers (2023), all lauded for their craftsmanship and fresh takes on classic luxury. He also expanded Bottega Veneta into fragrance and high jewelry, and designed costumes for the Venice Dance Biennale.

Vanessa Friedman dubbed him the Magician of Milan, emphasizing his material experiments that made leather indistinguishable from fabric. In September 2023, Blazy opened Bottega Veneta’s Paris flagship on Avenue Montaigne, the first designed entirely under his supervision.

Taking the Helm at Chanel

In December 2024, it was confirmed that Matthieu Blazy would leave Bottega Veneta to take the Creative Director position at Chanel, succeeding Virginie Viard. Blazy now oversees all Chanel collections, including haute couture, ready-to-wear, and accessories- and is responsible for more than ten collections each year.

This marks Chanel’s fourth creative director in its century-long history and comes at a pivotal moment: Chanel’s annual revenue in 2023 topped $19.7 billion, with fashion contributing $14 billion. Bruno Pavlovsky, Chanel’s Fashion President, emphasized Blazy’s audacious personality and dedication to craftsmanship and beautiful materials.

Philosophy and Impact

Blazy’s philosophy centers on authenticity, emotion, and the value of restraint, grounded by deep respect for atelier savoir-faire. At Chanel, insiders expect him to breathe new life into heritage icons, like the tweed suit and the classic flap bag, while driving innovations in materials and storytelling for a modern audience.

Recent News and Legacy

During his first months, Blazy balanced archival tributes with bold new directions, including expanding Chanel’s accessories and further cementing the house’s reputation for contemporary luxury. With accolades for both his craft and leadership, Blazy is positioned as an emblematic figure for the future of French fashion.

Milestones and Achievements Table

Matthieu Blazy’s move to Chanel marks a pivotal moment within luxury fashion—a blend of technical prowess, quiet radicalism, and deep-rooted craft now driving modern French couture into its next chapter.