Crafting the Future of Chanel: Matthieu Blazy
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After 3 remarkable years directing the collections at Bottega Veneta, Matthieu Blazy sailed to new horizons and dropped anchor at Chanel with his debut collection in October 2025. The new artistic director embarks on his next venture, inheriting the challenge of continuing Chanel's legacy while breathing new life into the iconic brand.
Published on 4 Mar 2025 / Updated on 26 Mar 2026
Table of Contents
- Margiela to Bottega: The Formative Years
- Crafts of our time
- Leading together
- Related topics
- Modern icons: Matthieu Blazy’s 3 most defining Bottega bags
- 1. The Bottega Veneta Sardine bag
- 2. The Bottega Veneta Andiamo bag
- 3. The Bottega Veneta Parachute bag
- Matthieu Blazy’s new vision: A celebration at Chanel
- What are Matthieu Blazy’s best Chanel bags (so far)?
- 1. The Chanel 26 (“Preppy Coco”)
- 2. The Chanel 25 in Leopard Shearling
- 3. The Classic Flap, Reimagined
- Is more always more?
A new era began at Chanel: the Parisian house appointed Matthieu Blazy as its new artistic director, succeeding Virginie Viard, who led the brand for 5 years, following the passing of Karl Lagerfeld.
Blazy’s widely celebrated 3-year tenure at Bottega Veneta — where he masterfully balanced craftsmanship and material innovation with culturally on-point reference — set the stage for his transformative leadership at Chanel. A new dawn is rising at the legendary couture house, with the promise of new directions explored, new territories conquered.
Margiela to Bottega: The Formative Years
Born into a family deeply immersed in the art world, Blazy’s upbringing played a significant role in shaping his unique perspective. The Belgian-born spent his young years surrounded by masterpieces at the auction house Drouot, an early exposure to art and design that began to lay the foundation for his creative vision. After graduating from La Cambre, he embarked on an impressive journey through renowned fashion houses such as Maison Margiela, Celine, and Calvin Klein. Under the mentorship of industry titans like Raf Simons and Phoebe Philo, he honed his skills before stepping up as Bottega Veneta’s creative director in 2021, following Daniel Lee’s departure.
Crafts of our time
At the Italian fashion house Matthieu Blazy solidified his signature approach: an unwavering reverence for craft, balanced with innovation and contemporary relevance. A staunch advocate for traditional savoir-faire in the modern era, he believes craftsmanship and technology can coexist to enhance each other. “We need to use technology to support the craft, but it cannot all come from the machine,” said Blazy at the 2023 BoF’s VOICES conference. Seeing craft as inherently timeless, he sees technology as a serving tool, defending the subtle imperfections in handwork as what makes each product unique and special.
Leading together
Collaboration and community lie at the heart of Blazy’s creative philosophy. He seems to thrive in team environments, valuing direct communication with artisans and craftspeople. His time at Maison Margiela, where his office was strategically placed in the middle of the atelier, reinforced his belief in inclusive and dynamic design processes. “You don’t talk just to designers, you talk to the makers,” he recalls about his experience overseeing the “Artisanal” couture line, in an interview featured in The Business of Fashion. Championing a work culture where makers and designers engage in dialogue from the earliest stages, he ensures every piece is infused with authenticity and the highest quality.
Related topics
Modern icons: Matthieu Blazy’s 3 most defining Bottega bags
During his tenure at Bottega Veneta, Blazy introduced several bags redefining modern luxury. Each one of them reflected his deep respect for traditional leatherwork while embracing contemporary functionality.
1. The Bottega Veneta Sardine bag
The Sardine, first introduced in Fall/Winter 2022, offered a sculptural take on the beloved Jodie bag, incorporating a polished brass handle shaped like a sardine. This blend of artisanal craft and playful refinement, paired with its supple Intrecciato leather, made it an instant hit.
2. The Bottega Veneta Andiamo bag
With the Andiamo, launched in Resort 2023, Blazy created a bag named after the Italian phrase for “let’s go.” Its soft yet structured silhouette, complete with an intricate braided leather detail, embodied effortless elegance and became a symbol of understated luxury.
3. The Bottega Veneta Parachute bag
In Pre-Fall 2024, Blazy redefined utility with the Parachute bag, a spacious tote featuring intricate woven panels. Its relaxed yet elevated aesthetic catered to those who value both function and refinement.
Matthieu Blazy’s new vision: A celebration at Chanel
Matthieu Blazy’s first months at Chanel have combined strong commercial success with a clear creative direction — balancing heritage, craftsmanship, and modern storytelling.
Expectations for his Spring/Summer 2026 debut were high — and he delivered one of the most talked-about collections of the season. More importantly, he sustained that momentum across every show that followed.
- Spring/Summer 2026: The Grand Palais was transformed into a cosmic universe, setting the stage for tweed tailoring, feathered couture, and retro-inspired handbags.
- Métiers d’Art 2026: A New York subway station became the backdrop for a collection rooted in urban sophistication and artisanal craft.
- Haute Couture Summer 2026: Fluid, silk-driven silhouettes unfolded in an ethereal, fairytale-like setting with surreal mushroom motifs.
- Fall/Winter 2026: Inspired by Gabrielle Chanel, the theme of metamorphosis played out in a construction-site set illuminated by colourful cranes.
Commercially, the impact was immediate. When the SS26 collection arrived in boutiques in March 2026, demand surged — Vogue Runway reported queues outside Chanel’s 57th Street store in New York while editors and influencers flocked to the Paris flagship during Fashion Week. Blazy is widely credited with attracting a new luxury client: one who values craftsmanship, but seeks the cultural cachet of Chanel.
What are Matthieu Blazy’s best Chanel bags (so far)?
Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel bags stand out for their balance of archival references and modern restraint—quickly placing them on collectors’ radar.
1. The Chanel 26 (“Preppy Coco”)
The Chanel 26 is a structured, non-quilted flap bag inspired by 1960s Chanel designs, defined by elongated straps and a minimalist silhouette.
Often referred to as the “Preppy Coco,” the bag is officially listed as a Small Flap Bag — a subtle move that reinforces its understated positioning. With its square shape and slim shoulder straps, it channels vintage Chanel while feeling distinctly current.
Notably free of quilting, it is crafted in durable Caviar leather with gold-tone hardware, in shades like black, navy, and soft mint. Priced at approximately $5,100 in the US and €4,500 in Europe, it sits within Chanel’s core offering while signalling a shift back to timeless, logo-light design — especially when compared to more trend-driven models like the Chanel 22 or Chanel 25.
2. The Chanel 25 in Leopard Shearling
Blazy’s Chanel 25 in leopard shearling reimagines the house’s drawstring hobo with a bold, tactile twist.
First shown at the Métiers d’Art 2026 runway in New York, this plush iteration transforms a recent Chanel staple into a statement piece. The result is playful yet luxurious — and primed for virality, quickly gaining traction across TikTok and Instagram.
3. The Classic Flap, Reimagined
Blazy’s reinterpretation of the Classic Flap combines deconstruction with innovation—reworking Chanel’s most iconic bag for a new era.
For Spring/Summer 2026, he introduced a deconstructed version of the Timeless Classic Flap, worn open to reveal the signature burgundy lining. By exposing what is usually hidden, the design signals a more relaxed, lived-in approach to luxury.
For Fall/Winter 2026, this evolution continued with a hybrid design that merges two of Chanel’s most recognisable closures. A layered flap construction brings together the 2.55’s Mademoiselle lock and the Timeless Classic’s interlocking CC clasp — uniting heritage codes in a single piece.
The result is not a reinvention, but a refinement — proving that under Blazy, even Chanel’s most iconic designs can evolve without losing their identity.
Is more always more?
Blazy’s design philosophy challenges the notion that extravagance defines luxury. He prioritizes emotion and personal connection over ostentation, drawing inspiration from the sentimental and cultural value of vintage and vernacular clothing. His approach favours restraint, focusing on strong, well-edited ideas that endure beyond fleeting trends.
This ethos, combined with his deep respect for craftsmanship and collaborative approach, positions Matthieu Blazy as a transformative force poised to lead Chanel into an exciting new era.
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