Discussion: Who Should Be The Creative Director of Chanel?

[Caffeine]

WWD also reporting:

I guess the rumored budget is true

 

[Living Proof]

There was a rumour floating around here earlier this year that Kering could be selling off their brands (semi-believable seeing how Pinault is Pinault). If that's actually the case, it voids the that part of the contract as new owners tend to axe employees, especially the higher-ups.

Would they really sell off their 3rd biggest earner and the most momentous brand in the group?

 

[nationalsalt]

I wouldn't be surprised if there is some truth to that.

However, MissTweed now says Jacquemus himself spread the rumor about him being considered for Chanel. Especially given the timing, as he's seeking a minority investor for his business.

I guess if you knew you weren't actually in the running and didn't have to worry about pissing off the Wertheimers, there'd be no harm in generating a bit of buzz for yourself when seeking a minority investor? Quite canny (and a tad unscrupulous) on his part if so.

Maybe Blazy is just after a raise at Kering and doing the same?

 

[Frederic01]

Blazy at Chanel will basically do the same thing he is doing now at Bottega, minus the intrecciato, and with price point double or triple that of what his Bottega is. Is that what people really what at Chanel?

Besides, his aesthetic is far too experimental and avant-garde for a brand like Chanel. The clientele at Chanel are notoriously basic. This is not the brand, and has never been the brand, that people who want to buy fashion-forward and modern clothes go.

Karl might have experimented with bold propositions in his Haute Couture, but at the end of the day, it was the Virigine Viard things that appealed to people most : t-shirts with logos, classic Chanel jackets, blouses with basic seasonal prints, classic jeans, etc etc.

The true heir to Chanel herself, and I am not talking about the brand Chanel as a business, is Phoebe Philo. All these other designers are exciting prospects, but inherently have little to do with the founder and the principles of style she stood for.

 

[yslforever]

There was a rumour floating around here earlier this year that Kering could be selling off their brands (semi-believable seeing how Pinault is Pinault). If that's actually the case, it voids the that part of the contract as new owners tend to axe employees, especially the higher-ups.

Me: Kering board members (and C-suits) were openly discussing all the opportunities, off the minutes of the board meeting. They were ready to sell anything for a good price, or if it could help Gucci (but as a matter of fact, funding is not among Gucci's main problems), or even selling Gucci to buy other brands. Whatever necessary to raise the shareholders value. They were even ready to go back to Mayhoola, either to renegotiate the Valentino deal, or to sell them a brand or two.
As you may know there are M&A bankers on the board and as it turned out, now is NOT the time to sell, they would not get a good price, but all the options are here, there are less discussed.
Now board members are focused on reducing their exposure and cost, and on closing the non-performing stores - just like LVMH and DFS is doing right now.
And they are crossing their fingers for Cantino.

 

[HigthaVandah]

far too experimental and avant-garde for a brand like Chanel. The clientele at Chanel are notoriously basic.

So we've come full circle back to Hedi?

Guys, it’s Telfar Clemens!

No. It's Stefano Gallici.

 

[Lola701]

Karl might have experimented with bold propositions in his Haute Couture, but at the end of the day, it was the Virigine Viard things that appealed to people most : t-shirts with logos, classic Chanel jackets, blouses with basic seasonal prints, classic jeans, etc etc.

Maybe it’s time to go back to some sense and stop the Virginie machine.
Under Karl they sold mostly knitwear and tweed stuff (and I know it from a trusted and legit source).
I don’t think selling tacky denim with printed CC, glued sequins on denim is helping the brand. They went from seasonal it-shirts to be in reality a tacky CC fest.

It’s time to go back to a certain form of elitism I think.
I still love the tweed and the knitwear but it was painful seeing the stuff I saw during Virginie’s era.

Much like Bernard Arnault stopped the j’Adore Dior madness in 2006, Bruno needs to stop the current madness.

Commercial success with too much easy compromise is always questionable to me.