Today, it was announced that Matthieu Blazy, the former creative director of Bottega Veneta, has been appointed the artistic director at Chanel. “We are confident that Matthieu Blazy will continue to shape what’s next and write a new page in Chanel’s creation,” global executive chairman Alain Wertheimer and Leena Nair, global CEO of Chanel, said via press release of the exciting news. While there will be plenty of speculation on what this means for the brand’s tweed-and-pearl ensembles, we’re also wondering how Chanel’s incredible beauty line will be affected.
Established in 1921 with Chanel No. 5, the French fashion house’s makeup line is a standalone phenomenon; storied makeup artists Peter Philips (now at Dior) and Luca Pica (now at Byredo) have both been at the helm of Chanel beauty in the past. In January 2024, Chanel announced the Cometes Collective, with makeup artists Ammy Drammeh, Cécile Paravina, and Valentina Li shaping the house’s makeup collections. On the runway, Chanel’s beauty is often as bold and definitive as its tweed weave—we’ve seen blocky black eyeliner, strawberry-bitten lips, and breezy hair in seasons past.
When it comes to beauty at Bottega Veneta, Blazy has tapped runway makeup artist legend Pat McGrath (who also has her own eponymous makeup line) to create the looks for past shows. The designer was also responsible for bringing beauty back to Bottega in the form of a collection of five fragrances, released earlier this year. Overall, Blazy’s past beauty vibe—fresh skin, groomed brows, and a hint of sparkle—aligns perfectly with the Chanel vision established by the late Karl Lagerfeld.
“I am convinced that he will be able to play with the codes and heritage of the house, through an ongoing dialogue with the studio, our ateliers, and our maisons d’art,” says Bruno Pavlovsky, the president of fashion at Chanel. Blazy will begin after the start of the year; until then, we’ll have our (Le Vernis-painted) fingers crossed.
