Luxury fashion brand Chanel’s creative director Virginie Viard is reportedly leaving the company, according to a report by fashion news website Business of Fashion. Viard has worked with Chanel for five years as the Artistic Director of Fashion collections, where she introduced new elements while staying true to the brand’s creative heritage. She had been with Chanel for almost thirty years before taking on the role of chief designer in 2019, following the passing of Karl Lagerfeld.
While there has been no mention of a potential successor to Viard, Chanel’s Chief Executive Leena Nair had previously denied rumors of a designer change. Nair praised Viard’s work, highlighting her success in growing ready-to-wear fashion sales which have more than doubled since 2018. Chanel plans to open more stores in mainland China despite mixed sales results in the luxury market.
Chanel, famous for its tweed suits, quilted handbags, and iconic No. 5 perfume, is the world’s second-largest label after Louis Vuitton. The brand is owned by French billionaire brothers Alain Wertheimer and Gerard Wertheimer. Chanel did not respond immediately to requests for comment on Viard’s departure.