The news has fallen like a bomb in the fashion sector because no one expected it: Virginie Viard, the woman that the camellia house chose to continue the legacy left by Karl Lagerfeld, leaves Chanel after thirty years in the house, five of them at the head of creative direction. Although the firm that represents the quintessence of French luxury has not yet issued an official press release, media such as Business of Fashion either WWD They have had access to a statement in which the company confirmed the departure of Viard, whom they thank for his contribution to keeping the house’s codes and its creative heritage alive.
When Viard was appointed artistic director, just after Lagerfeld’s death, the news had special weight, not only because it was evident that replacing the Kaiser’s presence was a very complicated retro but also because she was the first woman since the founder, Gabrielle Chanel. , who took the reins of a legendary house. Her choice, in any case, was clearly logical: she had been the shadow of the German creative for two decades and had worked hand in hand with him, following the dizzying pace of a brand capable of producing no less than ten collections a year. .
Viard’s biography covers the dramatic arc of a story of personal improvement and growth. eat the faut: She joined the firm as an intern in 1987; She later took over the embroidery section. Born in Lyon, she grew up in an environment where fashion and textiles were our daily plan: her grandparents had a silk factory where she spent her childhood. Her relationship with Lagerfeld, however, did not begin at Chanel but at Chloé, where the German designer already put his trust in her. It was he who took her back to Chanel in 1997, where he put her to coordinate the haute couture section. Later, in the 2000s, she would become the director of the creation studio.
It is unknown who will take over this position but the fact that Valentino’s former creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli and Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton are currently available has sparked speculation in the sector. Hedi Slimane, currently at Celine, also enters the pools.
Despite its departure, the fall-winter 2024/25 haute couture collection will be presented, as planned, on June 25 at the Opera Garnier.
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