Thursday, December 12, 2024, unfolded like any typical winter day, with a dull gray sky hanging over France. The nation was still in anticipation, awaiting the selection of a new prime minister. Yet, amidst the political uncertainty, another significant void remained—one that had captured the attention of the fashion world. For nearly six months, the prestigious position of artistic director at Chanel had remained unfilled, leaving industry insiders eagerly awaiting an announcement that would shape the brand’s future direction.
At approximately 3 PM, the usual rhythm of the day was disrupted by an intriguing post from Vanessa Friedman, the fashion journalist for The New York Times, on X. She shared an eye-catching update: “The fashion dominos have started to fall. Carven has confirmed that designer Louise Trotter will be stepping down, with her final day set for January 24. Stay tuned, as more major announcements from top brands are likely to follow today…”
Just moments after it went live, her post had already amassed 81,000 views. The day prior, John Galliano had penned a heartfelt letter to announce his departure from Maison Margiela, marking the end of a decade-long commitment to the brand. By this point, it had become abundantly clear: one of the two major names in fashion could only be Chanel, a brand synonymous with the very essence of fashion history.
For a month, Matthieu Blazy, the 40-year-old Franco-Belgian creative powerhouse, had been quietly emerging as one of the luxury industry’s most talked-about figures. The whispers first started on November 16, when Miss Tweed, a respected fashion outlet, published a piece declaring Blazy as a leading contender to take the reins at Chanel. Moments later, WWD, a major American fashion website, echoed the sentiment, speculating that Blazy — who had already made his mark as the head of creation at Bottega Veneta — could soon step into the iconic role. Under his leadership, Bottega Veneta, part of the Kering Group, had seen a remarkable resurgence, and this success only fueled the speculation.
What initially began as mere industry gossip quickly gathered momentum, evolving from a theory whispered behind closed doors to a credible possibility that spread across editorial desks, social media feeds, and even reached the hallowed halls of Chanel itself, nestled in Paris’s prestigious Rue Cambon. In the middle of November, Chanel employees were buzzing with excitement, as Blazy’s potential appointment became one of the most eagerly anticipated moves in the luxury fashion world.
As this narrative unfolded, the notion of Blazy taking over at Chanel ceased to be a rumor and turned into an imminent reality that had the entire fashion ecosystem on edge, awaiting an official announcement that would confirm what many had already anticipated.
