Virginie Viard - Designer

[Mody]

Personally, I would take Viard at Chanel over Hedi right at this moment, so Chanel could at least have some new talents in the pool to think about. Why people are chanting Hedi's name is confusing. Whatever you complain about Viard's Chanel, heavily logoed merchandise, unimaginative/boring show pieces, lacklustre campaigns, etc. Perhaps except for image curation, Hedi's Celine is exactly what you complain about. Hedi, as a successful merchandiser and image maker, put Celine on the map by having a relatively small brand to begin with and aligned the brand with the hottest star of the moment (Lisa) which allowed Celine to open up a huge democratic in Asia. And the success followed. The same strategy, I would argue, would not work with a historic and mega brand like Chanel. And absolutely no for Chanel Homme.

 

[Kennnnn]

Marco Zanini understands modern luxury and would bring Chanel back to its roots. But probably not likely, since he probably lacks the commercial instinct to drive sales at the current level...

 

[Cocteau Stone]

Well, it happened. Don't actually feel anything about this except I though Virginie was at Chanel for longer than 5 years (says more about her design capacity than anything really).

What about Natacha Ramsay-Levi? Another Chloé alumna. Shame Alber Elbaz having passed away, he'd be a gorgeous fit for Chanel although I don't think the masses of the Chanel clientele would love it. They're so... "cheap" now, even for couture.

 

[Kimihiro]

Hedi doing the press and the big shows and the yada-yada of it all — I just don't see it happening
If you think Sarah Burton please check into a mental institute as soon as possible.

If anything, it’s Chanel that can pull off something more exclusionary exclusive. Now you need to fit and starve for it. A bit of gatekeeping might stoke more desire for them. More luxe I guess. Their customers wouldn’t mind.

But yes, I’d hate for the shows to be in that redundant Hedi black box format. His last womenswear show was good even in video so maybe we’ll see.

It’s sad that Alber’s not around.

 

[GivenchyHomme]

Good for her. I can’t imagine the pressure and stress she must have been under these past few years. it was no easy feat taking over for Karl. Hopefully the next designer will be able to handle it, because this job is a full time commitment .

 

[ICONICA26]

Did you see his last Celine Fall/Winter 2024 show? It was a perfect little Chanel audition…

Some of the looks were great and made sense for Chanel but I wasn’t screaming…I for sure think someone like Marc or Phoebe would be a better fit.

 

[DK92]

Well, it's good news, but since the industry is in such a bad state, I don't doubt that someone will come along and do something worse than that!

I just hope she takes along the half dozen ambassadors who are as bad as her clothes…

 

[disco54]

Bye B!tch! Don't forget to let the door hit you in the a55

 

[Deleted member 116957]

I don't think it's necessary to be SO bitchy towards Virginie. She did her best (lol). We have to give her credit where credit is due, she worked with Karl for decades. She put in her time at Chanel.

 

[FelipeV]

By the times we're live in, I only see two ways to get the new creative director: if it is a man, from Grindr, or a random gluten-free-alkaline woman.

 

[youthinasia]

By the times we're live in, I only see two ways to get the new creative director: if it is a man, from Grindr, or a random gluten-free-alkaline woman.

The Grindr Profile would say:
⬆️ 👀 4 CD (Creative Director)

 

[PierreGotha]

KL has made Chanel a global force and when he left us, a great creative void was needed to fill it and Virginie's experience with KL is not enough for this job. Her vision is limited, pastiche and mundane.

Chanel needs someone as well-rounded as KL and with this requirement, Hedi comes to mind easily.

Hedi will thrive at Chanel. Especially if he is given full control and creative reign. Also, Chanel Homme as a prospect is
an easy revenue stream for the Wertheimers.

 

[j02215]

Gosh, I really hope karl had trained more than one person internally for this role over the years. They have a big design team, surely someone in there has the know-how and some sort of vision?

None of the other options will last. I will buy Hedi’s Celine, but he will get bored and finally retire in <5 years.

 

[Nimsay]

Oh, there can be... just what happened between Coco and Karl's years. I think the next designer who'll be SUCCESSFUL at Chanel will be someone who can turn Karl's "codes" on their head, just as much as he did with Coco's. Make him roll in his grave a bit.

the only person who can really breakdown karl is marc jacobs. He will turn it all on its head but it will be chic and exquisitely made. It should be chanel thru a warholian lens.

 

[NoInvite]

My bet is Hedi. I can already see lasers coming out of the Grand Palais.

 

[FashionFanatico]

What’s in the dossier????

Hedi's Chanel contract of course.... lol.
The power of Karl knows no time and boundaries.

 

[gallianostan]

hedi slimane really is the only person who could take chanel into the stratosphere. his entire career has basically been one long chanel audition anyway. as someone mentioned earlier, the prospect of chanel homme would make the wertheimers salivate. it's the only option that makes sense.

 

[brandon J pierre]

the only person who can really breakdown karl is marc jacobs. He will turn it all on its head but it will be chic and exquisitely made. It should be chanel thru a warholian lens.

But do you think you can take on that type of task again I mean he wouldn't be brilliant he would take all the fantasy and the real life all in one shot which is what channel needs

 

[brandon J pierre]

hedi slimane really is the only person who could take chanel into the stratosphere. his entire career has basically been one long chanel audition anyway. as someone mentioned earlier, the prospect of chanel homme would make the wertheimers salivate. it's the only option that makes sense.

He's very good at business he understands customers age range(which is needed at Chanel) he understands French chicness and he understands Karl lagerfeld. But will he be in a state of mind to explore the freedom and femininity of couture that is the question if he can't get that down then it will be a disaster but I think he's a very good option. Anyways I can't wait to see Chanel back on his feet particularly the couture portion of the house and to see all the great things that they can do they need to designer that can really work those artisans and the couture workrooms.

 

[Nimsay]

hedi slimane really is the only person who could take chanel into the stratosphere. his entire career has basically been one long chanel audition anyway. as someone mentioned earlier, the prospect of chanel homme would make the wertheimers salivate. it's the only option that makes sense.

Chanel had a small Homme run only available in Paris, Soho/Beverly Hills and Tokyo designed by Karl. It was so dandy and unwearable. It was ended after a few seasons. I recall thinking Hedis DH jackets were superior.

Yea though. As Lola pointed out Chanel builds up to things. I think Chanel has been connecting with the male customer for about a decade now.
Starting with the unisex 2.55 reissue
adding CH by Karl which didnt work
the successful Chanel Bleu perfume
Chanel sneakers are normalized for men now
Chanel chains are normalized for men now

Ok. I need to prepare if Hedi is coming to Chanel.