Matthieu Blazy Is Chanel's New Creative Director & Gen Z Has Thoughts

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Matthieu Blazy is the new creative director of Chanel, leaving his role at Bottega Veneta after three years. For many Gen Z and Millennials in fashion, the news comes after several months of waiting and speculating what the appointment would mean for the industry's future.

Over the past few years, Blazy’s work at Bottega Veneta has certainly turned heads. The signature leather-weaved bags have gained a following of their own with celebrities, including Rihanna, Jacob Elordi, and Margot Robbie buying in. Bold stylistic choices started new trends like the “no pants” look. And celebrities traveled around the world to attend the buzz-worthy shows.

But, with any change, feelings of uncertainty can come, especially during such a hectic year in fashion. Some are dismayed by the continuing swapping of the same few leaders between luxury brands. Others note that the ongoing diversity issue is apparent when looking at the lineup. And for early career professionals watching the world of fashion shape out as they consider their own place and prospects in it, it’s all the more exacerbated. Still, hope and excitement remain at the forefront.

From design students and stylists to influencers and journalists, Teen Vogue talked to young people in the fashion industry about their reactions to Blazy’s appointment at Chanel. Read their thoughts below.

Aiyana Ishmael, Associate Editor

**Teen Vogue: **What was your initial reaction after hearing the news and after having some time to think about it?

Aiyana Ishmael: Honestly, when I first heard the news, I wasn’t shocked because the fashion whisperers, who always seem to have their ears to the ground, had been tweeting and posting that this move might happen, so it was cool to see they were right. Bottega really took off under Blazy, so going to Chanel to me seemed like a big move. Chanel is a brand with a rich history and that’s a lot of responsibility. It’ll be interesting to see how he mixes his own vision with their legacy. This move also shows that younger designers are getting more trust with these major houses, which is exciting. I’m really curious to see how it plays out.

TV: What do you think were Blazy's strengths at Bottega?

AI: Blazy’s greatest strength was how he redefined Bottega’s luxury identity—modernizing it while keeping the heritage intact. The way he played with textures, silhouettes, and color made Bottega feel both cutting-edge and timeless at the same time. He also nailed the idea of "quiet luxury," making pieces that felt special without being overtly flashy. In this current era of trends cycling in and out, he managed to draw attention to the brand across many different age groups, which is a skill. A lot of young people, if they aren’t already interested in fashion, aren’t too attuned to high luxury brands. But Blazy managed to capture so many Gen Z shoppers, whether that was through them actually buying in to the brand or trying to recreate the looks themselves.

TV: What do you think Blazy and Chanel will have to do to engage with Gen Z and gain young fashion enthusiasts' attention and trust?

AI: Blazy and Chanel will need to tap into the values and interests of Gen Z— one of the main pillars being authenticity. Chanel as a name will always be relevant, but they’ll need to find that sweet spot of classic designs with the excitement of what it means to be young and have the whole world in front of you. It’ll also help them to tap into creators Gen Z loves that fit the brand ethos, like Sophia Richie. If Blazy can make Chanel feel both aspirational and approachable, it’ll win over Gen Z easily.

Amber Rana, Stylist

TV: What was your initial reaction after hearing the news and after having some time to think about it?

Amber Rana: Honestly, I barely had an initial reaction. I was on set all day and found out when you emailed me. I’m quite excited. He was able to bring wonder into Bottega, and I think he’ll be able to bring the magic back into Chanel with his fresh eyes.

TV: What do you think were Blazy's strengths at Bottega?

AR: His use of color, texture, and compelling silhouettes are unmatched.

TV: What do you think Blazy and Chanel will have to do to engage with Gen Z and gain young fashion enthusiasts' attention and trust?

AR: I’d love to see Blazy bring back some of the sexy, cool, kitschyness Chanel had in the 90s [and] 00s. [Karl] Lagerfeld had a beautiful way of incorporating pop culture, history, art, personal experience, and more into his collections and I think that’s what younger fashion enthusiasts are yearning for.

Taylor Wang, Content Creator

TV: What was your initial reaction after hearing the news and after having some time to think about it?

Taylor Wang: I had heard rumors about this about a month ago, so I wasn’t entirely surprised. Honestly, I think it’s the right and best decision for Chanel. Matthieu Blazy has been working with true luxury fashion houses with rich history and craftsmanship for years. He understands how to navigate a corporate environment and knows how to use craftsmanship to his advantage to elevate his designs. Instead of piling on intricate embroideries or using luxurious materials just for the sake of opulence, Blazy has a way of creating pieces that are beautiful, wearable, and worth the price. With Chanel’s budget, resources, and access to the world-class ateliers like Lesage and Lemarié, the potential here is incredible.

TV: What do you think were Blazy's strengths at Bottega?

TW: Blazy had several standout strengths at Bottega Veneta: One, smart, innovative, and playful use of craftsmanship. His material manipulation made luxury more playful and less predictable. Instead of relying on shock value or surface-level theatrics, his collections offered depth and surprise, which helped Bottega stand out from other brands. He respects the craftsmanship that luxury demands—crafting good products takes time, and Blazy understands that. Two, respect for brand heritage. Blazy has an amazing ability to integrate a brand’s heritage and archive into his creative vision. Instead of making the brand all about himself, his collections at Bottega were mindful and respectful of its DNA. He didn’t scrap everything to start over, which is something that can often hurt a luxury brand. Consistency is key for a house’s identity, and Blazy nailed that balance. Three, world-building and storytelling. Blazy’s world-building at Bottega was masterful. Every detail, from the runway show set to the accessories, told the same cohesive story. He avoided trend-chasing and focused on creating a beautiful, wearable lifestyle that customers aspire to. This level of consistency and storytelling is crucial for maintaining customer loyalty and brand desirability.

TV: What do you think Blazy and Chanel will have to do to engage with Gen Z and gain young fashion enthusiasts' attention and trust?

TW: He’s able to translate these personal touches into something elevated and luxurious, and that’s exactly what new generations, especially Gen Z, want. Gen Z is all about conscious consumption, and there’s a growing appreciation for true craftsmanship. Chanel has the best workshops in the world—Lesage, Montex, Lemarié, Massaro, Goossens, and Maison Michel—all offering unparalleled expertise in embroidery, feather work, shoemaking, and more. Blazy has already shown he can work with artisans at the highest level during his time at Bottega. With Chanel’s resources and support, he’ll undoubtedly take this to new heights. One of Chanel’s challenges in recent years has been a lack of world-building and dream creation since Karl Lagerfeld’s passing. Blazy has the storytelling ability and the vision to bring that back. Combining Chanel’s rich history with his innovative approach will help the house engage younger audiences while staying true to its legacy. I truly believe this will mark the beginning of a fantastic new era for Chanel.

Skyli Alvarez, Editorial Assistant

TV: What was your initial reaction after hearing the news and after having some time to think about it?

Skyli Alvarez: Initial surprise, then much excitement. I think it’s a skip in the right direction for a house with such prestige.

TV: What do you think were Blazy's strengths at Bottega?

SA: Intentionality. His inward focus on design and process has led to a series of collections I see long outliving the current moment. Take the pure joy of Spring 2025, for example, which transformed something as simple and universal as childlike wonder into an experience, down to its whimsical beanbags tailored to each attendee. His sense of humor too is well-timed; from intrecciato-weave jumbo books to intentionally-wrinkled fabrics, Blazy knows how to balance innovation, play, and emotion.

TV: What do you think Blazy and Chanel will have to do to engage with Gen Z and gain young fashion enthusiasts' attention and trust?

SA: Again, I feel Blazy’s knack for quiet humor will resonate with Gen Z irony. A careful employment of celebrity as a brand extension, without seeming too outward-facing, will also be pivotal. Perhaps Blazy will push Chanel into the realm of menswear, all the while honoring the house’s longstanding legacy and marrying maturity with forward-looking thrill.

Wesley Breed, Content Creator

TV: What was your initial reaction after hearing the news and after having some time to think about it?

WB: The fashion dominos are falling fast, and Chanel has broken their silence in the best way possible. The recent departures and restructures have been nothing short of shocking, but I can't say that I was surprised by Chanel's pick — Blazy undeniably overachieved at Bottega Veneta, and I'm super excited to see how his creative vision comes to life in this new context.

TV: What do you think were Blazy's strengths at Bottega?

WB: At Bottega, Blazy was, above all, thoughtful. He tastefully brought it to the forefront of the industry by revolutionizing how we think about and understand materials, and his ability to maintain a tangible air of elegance while incorporating just the right amount of risk is worth noting. He may be quiet, but his intentions are clear, and he let his work at Bottega speak for itself, which it certainly did.

TV: What do you think Blazy and Chanel will have to do to engage with Gen Z and gain young fashion enthusiasts' attention and trust?

WB: Chanel is inheriting Blazy's buzz-worthy direction, which is a good thing. Even without official social media, Bottega has always found itself on the front page of Gen Z's favorite apps, and it's all because of Blazy's ability to create unassumingly brilliant moments on the runway that run wild on the internet. From leather 'jeans' and 'flannels' to Zanotta Sacco chairs modeled after animals, the house has carved out a clear path to Gen Z without engaging them directly online, and I think that Chanel can see similar success if Blazy continues to employ his understated but wildly clever understanding of chic.

Molly Elizabeth Agnew, Freelance Fashion Journalist

TV: What was your initial reaction after hearing the news and after having some time to think about it?

MEA: Blazy’s move to Chanel was a very open secret within the industry, although, of course, one can never put all their belief in rumor. Initially upon hearing talk of the potential move, the main concern for me was the knock-on impact at Bottega Veneta because Blazy had thrived and really revived the house in a monumentous way — Blazy at Bottega being one of the most successful partnerships in the industry for quite some time.

TV: What do you think were Blazy's strengths at Bottega?

MEA: Under Blazy, Bottega balanced tailoring, whimsy, wearability and technical innovation. More importantly, from a business perspective this cohesion struck a chord with consumers and proved highly profitable. There was, in my opinion, a lack of pretentiousness under Blazy’s leadership which strongly benefitted the house creatively and culturally.

TV: What do you think Blazy and Chanel will have to do to engage with Gen Z and gain young fashion enthusiasts' attention and trust?

MEA: With all due respect given to Chanel’s older and very loyal clientele, it’s vital that the house finds a way to market to Gen Z, without relying on cosmetics and fragrance, for its own longevity. I think for a lot of younger generations, Chanel has had a musty air. If Blazy can transfer his penchant for exaggerated yet wearable daily garments, then the house may need to rely less on flap bags and ballet flats. Chanel desperately needs a new it-item and it-moment, and if anyone can help produce that then it’s Blazy.

Echo Gu, Student & Designer

TV: What was your initial reaction after hearing the news and after having some time to think about it?

Echo Gu: I was thrilled to hear the news—finally, our beloved Chanel is embracing something fresh and exciting. It’s been a while since the brand has felt truly innovative; when I think of Chanel, the most memorable moments still come from the Karl Lagerfeld era. Chanel often feels distant, not just because it’s out of reach financially, but also in the way it positions itself. While the prices continue to soar, the designs have lacked significant evolution, making it harder to connect with the brand on a deeper level.

TV: What do you think were Blazy's strengths at Bottega?

EG: Matthieu Blazy left a lasting impression on me with his recent childhood-inspired Bottega Veneta runway show. His mastery of leatherwork was nothing short of extraordinary, showcasing groundbreaking techniques that elevated the art of fashion. Beyond the craftsmanship, I admired how he created characters in his designs that felt approachable and relatable. Under his creative direction, Bottega has transformed into a more youthful and culturally resonant brand, making it increasingly popular with a new generation.

TV: What do you think Blazy and Chanel will have to do to engage with Gen Z and gain young fashion enthusiasts' attention and trust?

EG: For Gen Z fashion enthusiasts, it’s less about flaunting status and more about expressing individuality and taste. I’m excited to see how Blazy reinterprets Chanel’s iconic tweed, breathing fresh life into it. Incorporating elements inspired by Gen Z culture could further connect the brand with younger audiences, infusing it with energy, relevance, and a sense of modernity.

Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

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