The Bottega Veneta designer is now widely rumoured to take on what has been considered the most coveted job in fashion

Matthieu Blazy at Bottega Veneta’s critically acclaimed spring/summer 2025 show. Screen shot: bottegaveneta/YouTube

Our favourite designer, it is now said throughout much of the industry, will be taking up the empty position at Chanel. It is now Matthieu Blazy who is believed to be the top contender to accept the covetable post. The news was shared by both Miss Tweed, industry newsbreaker, and WWD. No confirmation was offered by either Chanel or Mr Blazy. Apparently, the Wertheimer-brothers-owned couture house will make an official announcement in mid-December. WWD even reported that Bottega Veneta has started their search for Mr Blazy’s replacement. BV has made no comment either to the possible departure of their star designer.

It is, of course, good news for Chanel if they are able to get Mr Blazy, but a major blow to BV, where what is undeniably a good fit will come undone. Mr Blazy, a virtual unknown at the time of his predecessor Daniel Lee’s exit is considered an examplar of creative director appointments. He has not only created the buzz the brand needs, but also products that are desirable, which in turn ramped up BV’s admirable profitability. There are not that many Italian brands to look forward to when it comes to the Milan season. BV under Mr Blazy’s watch is definitely one of them.

Chanel has always been, as far as we’re aware, happy with their former creative head Virginie Viard’s direction. It is not known if the consideration of Mr Blazy is contemplation of a change. There are those afraid that while Mr Blazy could bring a touch of Milan to the maison, there would be no “flourish or Parisian giddiness”, one fashion observer told us. Indeed, we are not sure of him at Chanel. We fear it’d be like Raf Simons at Dior—whose output was largely underappreciated. While the draw would be hard to resist, we do not think Matthieu Blazy should go to Chanel, just as JW Anderson should not go, as rumoured, to Dior. Old couture houses understandably have their lure, but they are not the houses of the past. Chanel, too, is no longer the maison that Karl Lagerfeld shaped, famously as he pleased.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned