The recent announcement that Virginie Viard is leaving her creative director post at Chanel marks the continuing momentum of this year’s fashion musical chairs. When one design head exits a brand, it often leads to a cascade of other movements. This is seen when Pierpaolo Piccioli left Valentino in March, which then saw Alessandro Michele (formerly of Gucci) replacing him a week later.
Last year, there was a big change among the top rosters for fashion houses like Chloe, Louis Vuitton and Alexander McQueen. It offered these brands a fresh vibe and, in most cases, a total change of aesthetic. The end of an era Viard has worked with Chanel for over three decades.
She was often called the “right hand” of the late designer Karl Lagerfeld, working closely with him on all collections Chanel produces. When Lagerfeld died in 2019, Viard took over his job. Her first solo collection for Chanel was for the Cruise 2020 season.
Fittingly, Viard’s last collection is also for the Cruise season (see cover story). She presented the designs in France last month. It will hit stores towards the end of the year.
“The sun, architecture, music and dance: Marseille also has a very strong sense of freedom,” Viard’s statement reads. “I was inspired by the codes of lifestyle, of everyday life and by all the things that invite movement. The sea and the wind made me want to play with wetsuits.
” Read more: Chanel's creative director Virginie Viard to exit brand, according to report Red c.
