Matthieu Blazy Joins Chanel, John Galliano Leaves Margiela and More Luxury Shake-Ups in This Week’s Top Fashion News

In this week’s fashion headlines, a creative director scramble rippled through the luxury sector, while major brand milestones were celebrated and new expectations were set for the future.

In what may have been the most action-packed week in fashion this year, Matthieu Blazy left Bottega Veneta for Chanel, and the Italian house subsequently named Louise Trotter as his replacement. Elsewhere, John Galliano ended his decade-long tenure at Maison Margiela and Julian Klausner was handed the reigns of Dries Van Noten from the designer himself. Carrying more legacies forward, Issey Miyake‘s IM MEN announced a debut presentation at Paris Men’s Fashion Week in January, meanwhile Dover Street Market celebrated 20 years in business with an extensive roster of beloved collaborators. Finally, Nike and the NFL extended their partnership through 2038, cementing the sports gear brand as the consistent purveyor of all NFL-related uniforms and merch.

Below, Hypebeast has rounded up the top fashion stories of the week so you can stay up to date on trends in the industry.

Matthieu Blazy Confirmed As Chanel’s Creative Director

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After six months without a creative director, Chanel has named Matthieu Blazy as the latest designer at the helm of the house. After three years of ushering Bottega Veneta through its contemporary revival, the designer is now positioned to show 10 collections a year for Chanel starting in October 2025.

“We have a lot of confidence in Matthieu’s capacity to bring modernity and a different approach to Chanel,” conveyed Bruno Pavlovsky, Chanel’s president for fashion in an interview, per The New York Times. He also referred to Blazy as “a talent for tomorrow,” noting the “respect [he has] for the heritage but also a very specific design for ready-to-wear, for silhouettes [and] for bags.”

The appointment settles months of rumors surrounding his eventual departure from Bottega Veneta, and uncertainty about the future of Chanel’s creative identity.

John Galliano To Exit Maison Margiela

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On December 11, rumors of John Galliano‘s departure from Maison Margiela were confirmed when the designer shared the official announcement on Instagram. “Today is the day I saw Goodbye to Maison,” Galliano wrote.

He continued, “My heart overflows with joyous gratitude, and my soul smiles. For I am 14 years old today—14 years sober. Living a better life than I ever dreamt possible, and this is thanks to two people—two truly beautiful people who I both love and cherish.”

Galliano spent 10 years with Margiela, punctuating his tenure with a stand-out Margiela Artisanal collection at the start of 2024. He took over Margiela’s creative director role in 2014, only three years after being fired from Dior for drunken, racist comments in public Paris cafes.

He concluded his message, “I’ll readily admit I’m demanding and difficult to run with when challenged, but look at what we have built.”

Bottega Veneta Announces Louise Trotter As Creative Director

Bottega Veneta

On Tuesday morning, Bottega Veneta announced that Louise Trotter is poised to succeed Matthieu Blazy as the creative director of the Italian leather goods brand. According to Business of Fashion, Trotter is expected to step away from her role at Carven after its FW25 presentation in January.

On her appointment, Louise Trotter commented “I am deeply honored to join Bottega Veneta as Creative Director. The House’s storied legacy of artistry and innovation is truly inspiring, and I am excited to contribute to its future and celebrate its timeless vision.” Trotter had been at the heritage label Carven since February 2023 and had previously held creative titles at Lacoste and Joseph.

Dries Van Noten Names Julian Klausner as Creative Director

Dries Van Noten

Early Monday morning, Dries Van Noten confirmed the appointment of in-house designer Julian Klausner as the label’s new creative director via Instagram. The long-time team member’s promotion follows founder Dries Van Noten’s departure from the creative director role in June 2024.

In a statement shared by the brand, Klausner said, “I am beyond thrilled to oversee the upcoming seasons as we begin the next chapter for this house.” “The incomparable legacy that Dries is leaving behind is monumental, serving as an endless source of precious inspiration. I look forward to embarking on new ambitious challenges while honoring the heritage we all cherish,” he continued.

According to WWD Krausner will present his first womenswear collection as creative lead on March 5 at Paris Fashion Week and will subsequently reveal a FW25 menswear collection lookbook

Issey Miyake To Show IM MEN Line at Paris Men’s Fashion Week Starting in FW25

Issey Miyake

Ahead of Paris Men’s Fashion Week’s FW25 shows, Japanese label Issey Miyake’s 2021-born men’s line IM MEN will make its runway debut on January 23, 2025. Spearheaded by Sen Kawahara, Yuki Itakura, and Nobutaka Kobayashi of MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO, the collection will incorporate tech-forward manufacturing processes Miyake was known for.

Additionally, the brand has announced that the HOMME PLISSE line, which has been presented seasonally in Paris since 2019, will take an extended hiatus beginning in January as the company rethinks its direction. Updates on the future of HOMME PLISSE will be shared by Spring 2025.

Dover Street Market Celebrates 20 Years With Customized T-Shirts and Totes

Dover Street Market

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the multi-brand retail space Dover Street Market, the company is releasing a special collection of customized t-shirts and tote bags designed by its long roster of collaborators. The limited edition pieces will feature a “Power of Twenty” graphic uniquely interpreted in each designer’s style. Highlights of the anniversary collection include Chrome Hearts‘ colorful crosses, Simone Rocha‘s signature ribbons, and Stüssy’s signature spray-painted branding. With each purchase, customers will receive a 20th Anniversary necklace on a first-come, first-served basis.

The 20th-anniversary collection is only available in-store at Dover Street Market starting on December 12.

Nike and NFL Extend Partnership Through 2038

Nike

With 12 years of collaboration under their belts, Nike and the NFL have announced they have inked a deal to extend their partnership through 2038. The deal cements Nike as the exclusive provider of uniforms and sideline, practice, and baselayer apparel for all 32 NFL teams.

Key initiatives of the renewed partnership include fueling the NFL’s fan-focussed marketing and community storytelling while deploying Nike’s Sport Research Lab to aid product design and player safety. Nike will continue to join the NFL in supporting grassroots, high school and collegiate-level development programs to empower the next generation of athletes.