The game of designer musical chairs continues. Alessandro Michele made the move from Gucci to Valentino, Gabriela Hearst bid Chloe adieu, Sarah Burton stepped down at Alexander McQueen and Walter Chiapponi departed Blumarine only weeks after his debut offering. Perhaps the most shocking move of all is the news that Virginie Viard is saying so long to Chanel.
While she held the title of artistic director for only five years, Viard actually worked for the French fashion house for almost three decades. In fact, she just unveiled Chanel's Cruise 2025 collection at a runway show in Marseille. Plus, the brand's haute couture presentation is on the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week Fall 2024 schedule.
"Chanel confirms the departure of Virginie Viard after a rich collaboration of five years as artistic director of fashion collections, during which she was able to renew the codes of the house while respecting the creative heritage of Chanel, and almost thirty years within the house," reads a statement obtained by Vogue Business. "A new creative organisation will be announced in due course. Chanel would like to thank Virginie Viard for her remarkable contribution to Chanel's fashion, creativity and vitality."
Now the speculation begins regarding who will lead Chanel going forward. Perhaps Pierpaolo Piccioli, Hearst, Burton or a possibly Celine-less Hedi Slimane is in talks to put their spin on the iconic label. We'll simply have to wait and see.
