In yet another fashion industry shakeup, Virginie Viard is parting ways with Chanel . The company announced on Wednesday that Viard, who’s spent the last five years in the artistic director role, will be stepping away from Chanel after nearly three decades. The 62-year-old designer assumed the position in 2019 following the death of her mentor Karl Lagerfeld .
“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 French label said in a statement. “A new creative organization 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 got her start at Chanel as an intern in 1987 where she worked her way up the ranks to deputy director. By the time she was named successor, she was often referred to as Lagerfeld’s “right arm and left arm.” After his passing, Viard’s first solo collection debuted during the Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2019 show in Paris.
Her last collection for the brand will be Chanel’s runway show during Paris Haute Couture Week in June, CNN reported. During her tenure, the brand has seen sales jump and its revenue increase. Recently, the global chief executive officer of Chanel, Leena Nair, shared with BoF that th.