Fashion Virginie Viard has left Chanel after thirty years — what does this mean for the Parisian house, asks Victoria Moss A fashion revolution has erupted in Paris as Virginie Viard exits her role as artistic director of Chanel . The news was confirmed late Wednesday night, with Viard having reportedly left the storied Rue Cambon HQ that afternoon. The move adds fuel to the ever-revolving fire of creative director musical chairs, which in recent years has come to underscore the poisoned chalice that these all-encompassing, all-powerful yet full-liability roles have become.
“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. “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.
” Viard steps down after 30 years with the house, the past five years heading it up, after the death of multi hyphenate fashion machine Karl Lagerfeld , whom she had previously worked in tandem as his right hand. Her ascension then was seen as an underwhelming yet level-headed steer on the future of one of the world’s leading and most renowned luxury brands. Chanel is still owned by the Wertheimers, Alain W.
