When Virginie Viard stepped down from Chanel last year, the fashion world collectively held its breath — who would take over one of the most legendary fashion houses in history? The answer came in the form of Matthieu Blazy, the visionary who had already turned heads with his innovative work with leather at Bottega Veneta. All eyes were on Paris this October as Blazy unveiled his much-anticipated debut for Chanel at Fashion Week. In true creative spirit, he told Vogue just before the show, “It’s going to go in quite a lot of directions. I need to test ideas. I want to make mistakes. It doesn’t have to be perfect — it’s a first show. It’s a proposal.” A refreshing reminder that even in couture, evolution often begins with experimentation.

The show’s standout moment came at the very end — when Awar Odhiang, radiant and impossible to miss, closed the runway in a breath taking skirt of cascading, colourful feathers. Breaking from the usual stoic runway expression, she smiled, clapped, and twirled with joy, perfectly embodying the vibrant, new spirit Matthieu Blazy is bringing to the house of CHANEL. It wasn’t just a finale — it was a celebration.

CREDITS

Designer Matthieu Blazy

Photography Rafael Pavarotti

Fashion Editor/Stylist Amanda Harlech

Hair Stylist Karim Belghiran

MUA Ammy Drammeh

Manicurist Dawn Sterling