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FASHION

Virginie Viard To Exit Chanel

Look back at her best red carpet creations.
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karl lagerfeld and virginie viard walk against the backdrop of the sea
Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie Viard at Chanel SS19 (Image: Getty)

When Virginie Viard took up the helm of Chanel in 2019, she had some big shoes to fill. After more than thirty years with the company, where she started as an intern in 1987, Viard succeeded legendary creative director Karl Lagerfeld upon his death. Viard was faced with two mammoth challenges; maintaining the success of one of the world’s most recognisable luxury fashion brands, and putting her own stamp on a brand so closely tied to Lagerfeld’s aesthetic.

She certainly succeeded on both fronts, with the house having reported record revenues in 2023. Per WWD, under Viard’s eye, the house’s ready-to-wear business has multiplied by two and a half, having grown by 23 percent last year alone. Despite being a long-time collaborator of Lagerfeld’s—he once called her “my right arm and my left arm”—Viard managed to carve out her own codes, and brought the brand’s aesthetic into the 2020s.

On all fronts, it seems things have been going well. Accordingly, this made the announcement that Viard was set to exit the house all the more surprising.

“Chanel confirms the departure of Virginie Viard after a rich collaboration of five years as artistic director of fashion collections, during which she was able to renew the codes of the house while respecting the creative heritage of Chanel, and almost 30 years within the house,” the house said in a statement to Vogue Business on June 5. “A new creative organisation will be announced in due course. Chanel would like to thank Virginie Viard for her remarkable contribution to Chanel’s fashion, creativity and vitality.”

The label’s Haute Couture Autumn/Winter 2024/2025 collection, which was overseen by Viard, will go ahead as planned on June 25.

In honour of Viard’s era at the house coming to a close, we’re looking back at her most memorable red carpet creations.

Image: Getty

Penélope Cruise

At the 2024 Met Gala.

Image: Getty

Jennie Kim

At the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.

Image: Getty

Whitney Peak

At the 2022 Met Gala, the theme of which honoured the late Lagerfeld.

Image: Getty

Margot Robbie

At the 2023 Golden Globes.

Image: Getty

Margaret Qualley

At the 2020 SAG Awards.

Profile picture of Ella Sangster
Digital Writer Ella Sangster Digital Writer

Ella Sangster is a Digital Writer at ELLE and marie claire Australia. She was previously the Digital Fashion Writer at Harper's BAZAAR and Esquire Australia, and her words have appeared in Women's Health Australia and The New York Times. When she isn't writing, you will find her at the beach, plugged into a pop culture podcast, or seeking out Sydney's best matcha.

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