Matthieu Blazy is joining Chanel, plus other major industry shake-ups

Fashion is a fickle beast at the best of times, but it’s never been more in flux than now. Chanel recently announced the appointment of Matthieu Blazy – the latest in the many comings and goings of creative directors.

This slightly dizzying game of fashion musical chairs began at the tail-end of 2022, when Kering confirmed that creative director Alessandro Michele would be leaving Gucci. Many were shocked; after all, his seven-year tenure has been transformative – not just in terms of the house itself but in pioneering an eccentric, kitsch aesthetic that transcended the Gucci catwalk.

As it turns out, fashion’s reset had just begun; with Jogn Galliano waving off his 10-year tenure at Maison Margiela, it's safe to say it has been quite a memorable time in the industry. In the last couple of years, some of the most iconic luxury houses have appointed new creative directors, rerouting established names and crowning emerging talent. From Chloé to Alexander McQueen, Valentino to Lacoste, everyone’s at it. With all the changes, it’s easy to lose track – that’s why we’ve compiled a handy guide to the great fashion switch-up, below.

Chanel

Current creative director: Matthieu Blazy

Former creative director: Virginie Viard (2019 – 2024)

After months of speculation, Chanel announced Bottega Veneta's former Creative Director, Mattieu Blazy, as Virginie Viard's official successor.

Viard, who first joined Chanel in 1987, took the reins of the house when her mentor – and the house’s longstanding creative director – Karl Lagerfeld passed away in 2019. It’s no mean feat following in the footsteps of one of fashion’s most celebrated (and controversial) designers and though Viard’s directorship has drawn some criticism, many agree she treated the house’s hallowed codes with grace.

Coming with much praise and excitement, Blazy is set to begin his role as Artistic Director during the second half of 2025. This means the house's Haute Couture and Ready to Wear shows from January to July will be designed by Chanel's design studio.

Bottega Veneta

Current creative director: Louise Trotter

Former creative director: Matthieu Blazy (2021 – 2024)

Of course, with Blazy's departure from Bottega Veneta, one of fashion's most covetable roles had undoubtedly had to be filled. As the brand announced Trotter's departure from Carven, Bottega Veneta announced her appointment at the brand with a commencement date of late January 2025.

In an official statement, Leo Rongone, CEO of Bottega Veneta noted, “I am pleased to welcome Louise as our new Creative Director. Her aesthetic seamlessly combines exquisite design with sublime craft, and her commitment to cultural advocacy aligns beautifully with our brand vision. Through her sophisticated lens, Bottega Veneta will continue to celebrate its heritage while preserving modern relevance. I also want to express my profound appreciation for Matthieu, who has been an extraordinary partner in infusing our brand with desirability, emotional resonance, and intellectual identity.”

Maison Margiela

Current creative director: TBC

Former creative director: John Galliano (2014 – 2024)

In an internet-breaking Instagram post, John Galliano announced his departure after 10 years at the Maison. From his memorable Spring/Summer 2015 debut show, to the Rococo glass-skin moments seen at Margiela's haute couture Spring/Summer 2024 show, Galliano's work will surely be missed.

Cutting any rumours by expressing a focus on his gratitude towards his time at the brand, I'm sure we're not alone in anxiously waiting to see where the famed designer will go next and who will be taking over as Creative Director for Maison Margiela.

Fendi

Current creative director: TBC

Former creative director: Kim Jones (2020 – 2024)

After four years at Fendi, Kim Jones is stepping down as Artistic Director of Womenswear and Couture. The designer succeeded Karl Lagerfeld at the Italian house, after stints as Creative Director at Dunhill and Louis Vuitton.

'Kim Jones is a highly talented designer who has brought his unique and multicultural vision to Fendi over the past four years,' said Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO at LVMH, Fendi's parent company.

Jones remains Artistic Director of Dior Men. His replacement at Fendi has yet to be announced.

Celine

Current creative director: Michael Rider

Former creative director: Hedi Slimane (2018 – 2024)

Michael Rider has been named as Celine's new Creative Director, a few days after it was announced that Hedi Slimane would be stepping down as Creative Director at Celine.

Rider held the same position at Polo Ralph Lauren until May this year. Previously, he spent 10 years a Design Director at Celine, during the Phoebe Philo years, so he is returning to a brand close to his heart.

Under Slimane, Celine had expanded into beauty and menswear. Formerly, the Paris-born designer was at Dior Homme and Saint Laurent. What will his next move be? Time will tell.

Givenchy

Current creative director: Sarah Burton

Former creative director: Matthew Williams (2020 – 2023)

After months of speculation, it has finally been announced that Lee McQueen's successor, Sarah Burton, will take on a new role as creative director at Givenchy. In a statement posted to Instagram, the brand confirmed that the creative director will present her Autumn/Winter 2025 debut collection at Paris Fashion Week in March.

Burton, who is behind many famous looks, including Kate Middleton's wedding dress, is now one of five women to hold a creative director title at an LVMH house and the second woman to retain the title at Givenchy after Clare White Keller.

'It is a great honour to be joining the beautiful house of Givenchy,' says Burton. 'It is a jewel. I am so excited to be able to write the next chapter in the story of this iconic house and to bring to Givenchy my own vision, sensibility and beliefs.'

Tom Ford

Current creative director: Haider Ackermann

Former creative director: Peter Hawkings (2023 – 2024)

The latest episode of 'Fashion Musical Chairs' has seen Haider Ackermann replace Peter Hawkings as Creative Director of Tom Ford. After two decades at the house – and a year as CD – Hawkings' departure was announced earlier this summer.

Ackermann will make his debut at Tom Ford in March next year, for the Autumn/Winter 2025 collections. The French-Columbian designer is best known for his eponymous brand, which he founded in 2001 and has been worn by the likes of Timothee Chalamet, Tilda Swinton and Kylie Jenner.

'It is with tremendous pride that I will seek to honour the legacy of Tom Ford, a man I have long admired and have the utmost respect for,' Ackermann said.

Alberta Ferretti

Current creative director: Lorenzo Serafini

Former creative director: Alberta Ferretti (1981 – 2024)

Lorenzo Serafini has been named as Creative Director at Alberta Ferretti, following the founder's departure in May. Ferretti remains as Deputy Chairman of Aeffe, the luxury group she founded in 1988.

Since 2014, Serafini has helmed Philosophy di Lorenzo, which will be absorbed into the Alberta Ferretti brand from Autumn/Winter 2025.

Chloé

Current creative director: Chemena Kamali (2023 – present)

Former creative director: Gabriela Hearst (2020 – 2023)

In October 2023, Chemena Kamali took the helm at Chloé, whose former creative directors include Gabriela Hearst, Clare Waight Keller, Phoebe Philo, Stella McCartney and Karl Lagerfeld. This isn’t the German-born designer and Central Saint Martins alum’s first time at Chloé, having worked as part of Philo’s team and later, as Design Director, under Clare Waight Keller. Most recently, she was Women’s Ready to Wear Design Director for Anthony Vaccarello at Saint Laurent.

‘My heart has always been Chloé’s,’ Kamali said at the time of her appointment. ‘Returning feels natural and very personal. I hope to capture the emotional connection and spirit of Chloé for today.’

Kamali’s connection to the much-lauded ‘old Chloé’ is undeniable. Her first collection for the house, which debuted at Paris Fashion Week in February, felt equal parts nostalgic and refreshing, delivering the effortless femininity Chloé has been known for – but in a fresh way.

Givenchy

Current creative director: TBC

Former creative director: Matthew Williams (2020 – 2024)

Rumoured replacements: Hedi Slimane, Sarah Burton, Phoebe Philo, Marc Jacobs

In January, Matthew Williams left Givenchy, leaving the position of creative director up for grabs. Williams’ career saw him designing accessories with Kim Jones for Dior and costumes for Lady Gaga, before joining Givenchy in 2020. He continues to run his own label, 1017 ALYX 9SM.

As for a successor, all eyes are on Simon Porte Jacquemus. The reason for the rumours? Just two days after Williams’ forthcoming departure was announced, the Jacquemus founder posted a photo of Hubert de Givenchy’s office to his personal Instagram account. Time will tell.

Alexander McQueen

Current creative director: Seán McGirr (2023 – present)

Former creative director: Sarah Burton (2010 – 2023)

Alexander McQueen shook things up with the appointment of Seán McGirr as Creative Director in October. Having worked as Head of Ready-to-Wear at JW Anderson, with stints at Dries Van Noten and Uniqlo, this is the Irish designer’s first creative directorship – a bold move for the house and its parent company, Kering.

The Autumn/Winter ‘24 show was McGirr’s first for the house and paid reference to The Birds, Lee McQueen’s Spring 1995 collection, from the gritty venue (a disused warehouse on the edge of Paris) to the sense of constriction in the clothing itself. Considering McGirr only had a couple of months to prepare, it was a promising start.

McGirr succeeds Sarah Burton, who spent a total of 26 years at the house – including 14 at its helm, following Lee McQueen’s tragic death in 2010.

Lacoste

Current creative director: Pelagia Kolotouros (2023 – present)

Former creative director: Louise Trotter (2018 – 2023)

Staged at Paris’s iconic Stade Roland Garros, Lacoste’s Autumn/Winter ‘24 show was a celebration of sizeable proportions. And rightly so – this was the first collection from Pelagia Kolotouros, who was made creative director of the Swiss-owned, French brand a year earlier.

After graduating from Parsons Design School, Kolotouros held roles at Adidas, The North Face and Calvin Klein, so she knows a thing or two about contemporary and sportswear brands with rich heritage.

Lacoste’s creative director role was formerly occupied by British designer Louise Trotter, who has since transplanted to Carven.

Valentino

Current creative director: Alessandro Michele (2024 – present)

Former creative director: Pierpaolo Piccoli (2008 – 2024)

Having mourned his departure from Gucci, Alessandro Michele fans were likely pleased to hear about the designer’s appointment at Valentino. It’s been a long time coming – Michele stepped down from Gucci in November 2022, and his latest gig was only announced in March of this year. Needless to say, maximalists everywhere wait for his debut collection with bated breath.

Michele replaces Pierpaolo Piccoli, who worked at the legendary French fashion house for 25 years, helming it for 16. 'Not all stories have a beginning or an end, some live a kind of eternal present that shines so bright that it won’t produce any shadows,' Piccoli's departing statement read.

Gucci

Current creative director: Sabato de Sarno (2023 – present)

Former creative director: Alessandro Michele (2015 – 2023)

At either end of 2023, Kering ushered two relatively unknown, male designers into the prestigious creative director positions at Gucci and Alexander McQueen, respectively. The first mic-drop moment? Sabato de Sarno’s appointment as creative director at Gucci in January, followed by Seán McGirr joining Alexander McQueen in December.

De Sarno may not be as well-known as some of his contemporaries but he certainly has the design chops to qualify him for such a position. After cutting his teeth at Prada and Dolce & Gabbana, he spent 13 years heading up the design studio at Valentino.

Considering his predecessor is fashion darling Alessandro Michele (often credited with reinventing the house of Gucci), he has some big shoes to fill. But, as they say, a change is as good as rest.

Carven

Current creative director: Louise Trotter (2023 – present)

Carven was due a renaissance and Louise Trotter, who was made Creative Director in early 2023, is doing just that. Founded in 1945 by Marie Louise Carven, the Parisian house has gone through various iterations, peaking in popularity in the mid-aughts under the directorship of Guillaume Henry.

Well, it’s the house’s time again; Trotter, who left Lacoste last year and formerly spent nine years at Joseph, has so far outputted two excellent collections (Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter ‘24), setting the tone for a new, more confident Carven.

‘I feel honoured to write a new chapter for Carven: a youthful French house that to me embodies a spirit of freedom, joy and a confident femininity,’ said Trotter at the time of her appointment.