Virginie Viard to exit Chanel

Luxury fashion brand Chanel is parting ways with its creative director Virginie Viard, after thirty years at the Parisian house, according to multiple reports.

Having joined Chanel some three decades ago, Viard, a faithful deputy to Karl Lagerfeld, took over as head of design at the fashion house in 2019, following the death of the iconic designer in 2019.

Her successor has not been announced.

“Chanel confirms the departure of Virginie Viard after a rich collaboration of five years as artistic director of fashion collections, during which she was able to renew the codes of the house while respecting the creative heritage of Chanel, and almost 30 years within the house,” the house said in a statement, cited by several news outlets.

“A new creative organisation will be announced in due course. Chanel would like to thank Virginie Viard for her remarkable contribution to Chanel’s fashion, creativity and vitality.”

The shock departure comes on the back of a strong sales year for Chanel, with the house reporting revenue and profit grew by double digits last year, thanks to higher prices and strong demand for its high-end fashion and handbags.

Founded in 1910 by namesake designer Coco Chanel, the house is today owned by the billionaire brothers Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, whose fortunes are estimated at about $47.7 billion each, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. 

Chanel will present its Autumn/Winter 2024/25 collection on June 25 at the Opéra Garnier, as part of Paris Haute Couture Week.