Chanel, one of the most renowned fashion houses in the world, made headlines with the recent announcement of Virginie Viard’s departure as the artistic director. Viard, who took over from the legendary Karl Lagerfeld, had been with the company for nearly 30 years. Despite facing criticism for her collections, Chanel saw a significant increase in sales under her leadership, reaching almost $20 billion in 2023.
Viard stepped into the role after Lagerfeld’s passing in 2019, bringing a sense of continuity to the brand. However, her tenure was marked by a more subdued approach compared to Lagerfeld’s extravagant runway shows. While revenue continued to climb during her time as artistic director, some felt that she played it safe and did not bring the same level of innovation as her predecessor.
The news of Viard’s departure comes in the midst of other changes in the fashion industry, including Pierpaolo Piccioli’s replacement at Valentino and rumors of Hedi Slimane leaving Celine. Speculation is already swirling about who might take over the reins at Chanel, with names like Slimane and Piccioli being thrown into the mix.
Despite the shake-up, Chanel reassured that the upcoming couture presentation in June will proceed as planned. The departure of a long-standing figure like Viard opens up new possibilities for the brand and signals a potential shift in creative direction. Fashion enthusiasts will be eagerly awaiting the announcement of Chanel’s new creative leadership in the coming months.