French luxury brand Chanel has appointed former Bottega Veneta creative chief Matthew Blasi as its new artistic director - one of the biggest jobs in fashion, tasked with turning the page on the Karl Lagerfeld era.
Chanel confirmed the appointment shortly after Bottega Veneta announced that Blasi, 40, was leaving the Italian firm and would be replaced by British designer Louise Trotter.
Blasi has worked for Maison Margiela, Celine and Calvin Klein before joining Bottega Veneta in 2020 and quickly heading its haute couture division.
"Matthew embodies a new generation with a genuine modesty in both his approach to the brand and to clothing design in general - with great respect and passion for the product," said Chanel fashion president Bruno Pawlowski, quoted by the newspaper. "Figaro".
Chanel was looking for a new creative chief after Virginie Viard, Lagerfeld's longtime muse, announced her departure in June after five years in the position.
Viard was seen as continuing the late Lagerfeld's legacy, having worked alongside him for 20 years in a period that defined the modern look of the LVMH-owned brand. | BGNES