If you have been reading the news, everybody had an opinion on who would come next, or who should come next, at Chanel, after the last creative director – Virginie Viard – quit the brand. Well, now we know it’s Matthieu Blazy – who was last heading Bottega Veneta. As for Bottega Veneta, they are welcoming Louise Trotter as their new creative director.
If this was not enough, just yesterday John Galliano announced he was parting ways with Maison Margiela – a brand he headed for 10 years, and where he silently, but surely, redeemed his image. It led many to speculate that Mr. Galliano might just be clearing the path to Chanel. But well, it was long decided that that was going to be Mr. Blazy’s throne.
Mr. Blazy helmed Bottega Veneta as its creative director for three years, keeping the sophisticated brand at the high point he inherited from Daniel Lee. Within the dismal quarter reports of Kering, Bottega Veneta was probably one of the few brands in their portfolio still reporting a rise, as compared to Gucci or Yves Saint Laurent. In the third quarter of 2024, Bottega Veneta’s revenue totaled €397 million, up 4% as reported and up 5% on a comparable basis.
At Bottega Veneta, Mr. Blazy respected the brand’s house codes, while adding an oomph to them through colors, shapes and textures. This quality is very welcome at Chanel – a heritage brand that wants to preserve its history, while being relevant to modern times. Even the great Karl Lagerfeld toed the tweed line when he was the creative director at the brand.
Ms. Trotter, who now joins Bottega Veneta, had recently revived the brand Carven, where she joined in February 2023. Ms. Trotter’s ability to dramatise neutrals with shapes and fabrics seems to have a made-in-heaven compatibility with Bottega Veneta. Before Carven, Ms. Trotter worked at Lacoste and Calvin Klein.
Now that the Chanel seat – which was vacant for six months – has been filled. We have the next burning questions to ponder over – where is Mr. Galliano going? And who will helm Maison Margiela?
