Can a CEO truly embody Chanel?

Leena Nair received the CBE from Prince William. Photo: Chanel

Chanel’s Global CEO Leena Nair was recently honoured with the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Prince William at Windsor Castle. Part of the King’s New Year’s Honours list for 2025, the recognition was conferred on her for “significant contributions to the retail and consumer sector”, as has been widely reported. Ms Nair made sure she was dressed to the nines for the occasion. The British businesswoman wore a purple tweed coat-dress made for her by the haute couture atelier of Chanel, of course. On her head was a similarly-hued felt beret from Maison Michel. She was shod in matching pumps with block heels by couture shoemaker Maison Massaro. Both ateliers are owned by Chanel.

It is unsurprising—even predictable—that Ms Nair, as CEO, gets to wear a couture piece from the maison she manages. It is a statement of brand loyalty and an opportunity to showcase the “craftsmanship”, even if it’s a given, of the house not always at peak reputational sturdiness. Her choice of the coat-dress is curious for what is already summer in the United Kingdom, even if the formality of the occasion might require a tailored garment. Her choice was probably made to align with the “classic” image of Chanel’s heritage—although the silhouette turned out frumpy—rather than any modern spirit that many have hoped the brand embodies, but has not, yet.

Her choice was probably made to align with the “classic” image of Chanel’s heritage—although it turned out frumpy—rather than any modern spirit that many have hoped the brand embodies, but has not, yet

However lacking, the bread and butter of Chanel is the prêt-à-porter line. It would mean something if she wore an outfit from the RTW and made something of it. That would be more meaningful—an opportunity to offer a potentially disruptive, statement from a modern CEO in a traditional setting. But when we saw the images that Chanel shared with the media, it struck us that in Ms Nair’s case, wearing couture is corporate privilege, not personal style. She has unparalleled access to the most exclusive creations, yet she wore her choice as uniform, rather than a medium of individual expression. The sheer privilege overshadowed genuine sartorial creativity. Her choice was a corporate decision, not a fashion one.

The question some online are asking is if she paid for the outfit. While the exact financial arrangements for CEOs of major fashion houses wearing their own brand’s products for public, high-profile events are not publicly disclosed, it is highly improbable that Leena Nair would have personally paid for the garment she wore. And that is why we didn’t think she made something truly stylish out of it. She wore Chanel haute couture and that was enough. It met expectations, but did not exceed them. She clearly prioritised protocol over personal flair. That was not inherently wrong, but it was undoubtedly a yawn. We had to remind ourselves that she was in Windsor Castle to be lauded for “significant contributions to the retail and consumer sector.” There was no mention of fashion, even if in fashion, style is, ultimately, leadership.