100+ Years of Chanel: From Coco to Karl to Matthieu Blazyek in

Chanel: a house and a name synonymous with No. 5 fragrance, quilted leather bags, pearls, turnlock double Cs, and chic tweed suiting sets. Sophistication, history, class, elegance… and adored for over a century by fashion enthusiasts the world over.

Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s vision has been carried onward since the brand’s inception in 1910, when she opened her first hat shop in Paris, radically changing the way that women dressed and accessorized. 

From the original little black dress and “Chanel Sport” (practical, streamlined silhouettes that revolutionized women’s dressing), she made waves in Paris during her tenure. 

After Coco passed in the 1970s, the brand went through a lull before it was helmed by Karl Lagerfeld, whose era is almost as synonymous with Chanel as Coco’s herself. 

Lagerfeld is lauded for not only maintaining the classic elements of the Chanel brand, but bringing Coco’s revolutionary spirit to each collection, ensuring that the couture, ready to wear, and accessories stay fresh and current with the times. It was Lagerfeld who introduced the CC turnlock, which has become an iconic emblem of luxury.

While Coco popularized the concept of costume jewelry, Lagerfeld’s tenure brought the addition of fine jewelry and watches to the Chanel range, with a stronger emphasis on accessories.

The fragrance sector also blossomed under his reign, with the help of master perfumer Jacques Polge (and eventually his son, Olivier), who brought us Coco, Coco Mademoiselle, Chance, and Les Exclusifs. 

With Lagerfeld's passing in 2019, the House of Chanel entered another flux period; he left large shoes to be filled. Though at times controversial, Karl Lagerfeld was a force, and considered an unparalleled visionary by many.

When Virginie Viard stepped in from 2019 to 2024, she was praised for honoring Chanel’s DNA, creating elegant, wearable collections like the founder herself; however, she was also met with criticism. It was hard to live up to the Lagerfeld expectation left behind from nearly four decades of leadership. 

Chanel has just welcomed a new creative director to the house: Matthieu Blazy, 

former CD of Bottega Veneta, with experience at Céline, Margiela, and Calvin Klein. The 40-year-old French-Belgian designer is the youngest Creative Director in Chanel’s history. 

Responsible for what many would consider Bottega’s renaissance, his youthful, narrative-driven approach is expected to bring fresh energy to Chanel, attracting younger audiences while honoring its timeless heritage.

Both Matthieu Blazy and Coco Chanel share a visionary approach to redefining luxury, blending innovation and practicality, and challenging conventions. Blazy’s appointment at Chanel feels — to many — like a natural continuation of Chanel’s revolutionary spirit. The “New Chanel” is anticipated to be something completely different than we’ve ever seen. 

We’re excited to see what a new era of Chanel looks like… with the continuation of classics like the Chanel 25, Classic flaps, timeless sling backs, and textured fabrics in luxurious color ways…we know Blazy will bring a fresh feel to the brand while staying true to the Coco Codes! As a fashion enthusiast, we can can without a doubt that we have full confidence in Blazy!