(Paris) The haute couture house Chanel announced Thursday the departure of its artistic director, Virginie Viard, without immediately naming a successor.
“Chanel confirms the departure of Virginie Viard after a rich five-year collaboration as artistic director of fashion collections,” the group said in a press release.
“A new creative arrangement for the home will be announced in due course. The summer 2024 haute couture collection will be presented as planned on June 25 at the Opéra Garnier,” he added.
Virginie Viard, 62, took this extremely prestigious and demanding position in 2019, after the death of a legendary designer, Karl Lagerfeld. She had previously worked alongside him for over 20 years.
“Chanel thanks Virginie Viard for her remarkable contribution to Chanel fashion, creativity and vitality,” the group wrote.
During his five years creating Chanel collections, the house’s sales reached record highs, with a record of nearly $20 billion in 2023, an “exceptional year” according to the label, with an increase of 14.6 %.
His work, whether in ready-to-wear or haute couture, has however been criticized in the fashion world for its sometimes hazardous design or a lack of risk-taking.
One of its most popular collections was that, in March, on the theme of the Normandy seaside resort of Deauville and its legendary plates in the history of cinema.
The French designer, always dressed simply herself, in a t-shirt and black pants, was extremely discreet in the press and sober in her interventions, contrasting with the flamboyant character of her mentor.
“A new chapter is opening for Chanel Mode. We are confident in the teams’ ability to ensure the continuity of the collections during this transition period,” the group said.