Every era in fashion has its disruptors, visionaries who rewrite the rules while honoring tradition. With Matthieu Blazy stepping into one of the industry’s most iconic roles as Chanel’s new Creative Director, it’s not just a story about leadership, it’s a celebration of a creative force who has consistently pushed boundaries while respecting the codes of the houses he’s served.
EARLY YEARS: CRAFTING A VISION BEHIND THE SCENES
Born in Paris and trained at La Cambre in Brussels, Blazy’s ascent is nothing short of extraordinary. His roots in fashion are as deeply tied to craftsmanship as they are to creativity. His early days under Raf Simons saw him perfecting menswear that felt sharp, innovative, and utterly fresh. Later, at Maison Margiela, Blazy became a quiet yet pivotal force behind the brand’s Artisanal line, marrying avant-garde experimentation with painstaking detail, a formative experience that would define his design DNA.
THE CÉLINE AND CALVIN KLEIN YEARS
Blazy’s knack for elevating the familiar continued at Céline during Phoebe Philo’s reign, where he played a key role in shaping collections that defined an era of minimal elegance. His collaborative partnership with Raf Simons evolved further at Calvin Klein, where as Design Director for Ready-to-Wear, he embraced bold Americana-inspired storytelling.
STEPPING INTO THE SPOTLIGHT: BOTTEGA VENETA
Then came Bottega Veneta, the house that propelled Blazy to center stage. Taking the reins as Creative Director in 2021, Blazy didn’t just inherit Bottega’s legacy, he redefined it. His debut Fall/Winter 2022 collection was a masterclass in modern luxury, blending sculptural silhouettes with artisanal craftsmanship. Statement leather boots, reimagined intrecciato weave handbags, and garments that blurred the line between art and fashion dominated the runway, announcing a new chapter for the brand.
By Spring 2023, Blazy had perfected his balance of couture and casual, white tank tops layered under sumptuous skirts became emblematic of his approach to effortless elegance.
What set Blazy apart at Bottega was his ability to innovate without alienating. His reinterpretation of leather, introducing new textures, weaves, and colors, breathed life into the brand’s heritage while ensuring each piece felt wearable and modern. He transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary, turning humble materials into icons of contemporary design.
Now, Blazy embarks on his most ambitious journey yet: Chanel. As the custodian of a house synonymous with timeless elegance, his challenge will be to fuse his own inventive spirit with Chanel’s storied legacy. From Haute Couture to Ready-to-Wear and Accessories, Blazy’s understanding of craftsmanship and his intuitive approach to storytelling position him as an inspired choice to lead the maison into its next chapter.
His debut collection is set to premiere at Paris Fashion Week in September 2025, and the anticipation is already palpable. Will he lean into Chanel’s classic codes—tweed, pearls, and camellias, or will he reimagine them for a new generation? Whatever direction Blazy takes, one thing is certain: his creative vision will leave an indelible mark on the house.
Chanel’s next chapter begins now, and if Blazy’s track record is anything to go by, it promises to be nothing short of revolutionary.
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