After five years at the helm of Chanel as the artistic director, Virginie Viard has announced her departure from the renowned fashion house. Viard, who has been with Chanel for almost three decades, rose to prominence as Karl Lagerfeld’s trusted design partner before taking on the role of artistic director following his passing in 2019.
During her tenure, Viard successfully blended Lagerfeld’s iconic design aesthetic with her own youthful and modern approach, creating a unique and fresh take on the classic Chanel style. Her creativity and vision brought a new energy to the brand, appealing to a younger generation of Chanel enthusiasts while still honoring the house’s rich heritage.
Photo: Courtesy of Chanel/Le Corbusier, Unité d’habitation, Marseille © F.L.C. / ADAGP, Paris, 2024 Chanel Cruise 2025
Photo: Courtesy of Chanel/Le Corbusier, Unité d’habitation, Marseille © F.L.C. / ADAGP, Paris, 2024 Chanel Cruise 2025
One of Viard’s standout collections was the fall 2024 show, where she drew inspiration from Claude Lelouch’s timeless film “Un homme et une femme.” The runway show, set against the backdrop of Deauville beach, captured the essence of the French Riviera with a modern twist. Her most recent Cruise 2025 collection took guests on a journey to Marseille, showcasing her ability to merge architectural influences with contemporary fashion.
In a statement released by Chanel, the fashion house expressed gratitude for Viard’s contributions and highlighted her role in redefining the brand’s identity through her innovative designs, saying they “confirm 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.”
The announcement of her departure has sparked speculation about who will succeed her as the new creative leader of Chanel.
Photo: Marc Piasecki As the fashion world eagerly awaits the unveiling of Chanel’s new creative direction, one thing is certain – Virginie Viard’s legacy as the artistic director will be remembered for her bold and imaginative vision that has left an indelible mark on the iconic fashion house.
