Who is Matthieu Blazy, Chanel’s new creative director? He landed his first job with Raf Simons, worked at Calvin Klein and Celine, and dressed Kate Moss in Bottega Veneta’s leather ‘denim’

Dec 13 , 2024

Matthieu Blazy walks the runway following Bottega Veneta’s spring/summer 2023 show at Milan Fashion Week in September 2022. Photo: Getty Images

The young Belgian designer has worked with the crème de la crème of fashion and created iconic pieces like the Maison Margiela crystal mask Kanye West wore on his 2013-14 Yeezus Tour

Designer Matthieu Blazy can only be described as a fashion wunderkind after the remarkable critical and commercial successes he’s accumulated over the past decade. His impressive résumé boasts credentials from the upper echelons of fashion, including internships at Balenciaga and John Galliano, roles at fashion houses like Maison Margiela, Celine and Calvin Klein, and most recently, the top job at Bottega Veneta.

Now, he’s taken on what is arguably the biggest job in fashion as the newly minted creative director of Chanel. He’ll succeed Virginie Viard – who leaves the role after five years – Karl Lagerfeld and Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel herself.

Here are five things to know about one of the most prolific yet under-the-radar designers in the industry today as he takes on his biggest job yet.

1. Raf Simons hired him right after graduation

Matthieu Blazy with Raf Simons in November 2022. Photo: @matthieu_blazy/Instagram

Blazy graduated from the renowned La Cambre design school in Brussels, Belgium. He was classmates with Julien Dossena of Rabanne, while Anthony Vaccarello, currently at Saint Laurent, was in the year above. His graduate collection – about Claudie Haigneré, the first French woman in space – was reportedly so impressive that designer Raf Simons hired him on the spot to work for his namesake label.

2. He designed Kanye West’s Yeezus Tour mask …

The crystal-covered mask Matthieu Blazy designed for Maison Margiela’s Artisanal autumn 2013 line and worn by Kanye West on his 2013-14 Yeezus Tour. Photo: @matthieu_blazy/Instagram

Though Blazy has sought to maintain some level of low-key anonymity throughout his career – The Cut deemed him “the most famous designer you’ve never heard of” in 2014 – he’s still had his fair share of viral moments over the years.

The most memorable creation from his Maison Margiela days, when he served as head designer for the brand’s Artisanal couture line, would have to be the crystal-covered masks from autumn 2013, which Kanye West wore on the promotional tour for his album Yeezus.

3. … and Bottega Veneta’s trippy leather ‘denim’

Kate Moss walks the runway at Milan Fashion Week in September 2022 for Bottega Veneta’s spring/summer 2023 collection. Photo: EPA-EFE