Will Simon Porte Jacquemus be Chanel’s new Artistic Director?
Since Virginie Viard left her position as Artistic Director at Chanel, many people are wondering who will replace her. Simon Porte Jacquemus is in the firing line.
Who will Virginie Viard hand over the keys to the Chanel atelier to? It all began last June, when she suddenly stepped down as Artistic Director of the Maison Chanel, just a few weeks before Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture. But her departure did not go according to plan. In fact, she was due to be given a proper send-off. In keeping with her 30 years of experience and loyalty to the house. However, the news came abruptly on a Wednesday afternoon.
In any case, it was clear that Virginie Viard had to go. Her collections, criticized at every Paris Fashion Week, risked tarnishing the House’s image. Since then, several journalists have been investigating the selection process for her successor. This is notably the case of Lauren Sherman, editor of the American media outlet Puck. If many are hoping to see Hedi Slimane (Celine), Gabriella Hearst (former artistic director of Chloé), Sarah Burton (who left Alexander McQueen in October 2023), or John Galliano… One of the names mentioned by Lauren Sherman to take over the Chanel reins is Simon Porte Jacquemus.
Simon Porte Jacquemus to head Chanel?
Simon Porte Jacquemus was not chosen by chance. In addition to being young, he is particularly appreciated by the new generation. But above all, he possesses an essential quality: a “sense of the zeitgeist”. Jacquemus also has the incredible ability to make its shows unforgettable. We remember, for example, his “Le coup de soleil” show in a vast lavender field. Or the one organized on the salt mountains of the Camargue at Salin de Giraud in 2022. Finally, he had already referred to the codes of the House of Chanel at the Met Gala dedicated to Karl Lagerfeld. He thus proves his mastery of references and his ability to handle the brand’s heritage.
However, Jacquemus has repeatedly expressed his desire to concentrate on developing his own brand rather than designing for other houses. It should also be noted that other designers such as Thom Browne and Pieter Mulier (Alaïa) are being considered for this prestigious position, according to the Swiss company Egon Zehnder. The company is in charge of the selection process. But one thing is certain: nothing is certain yet… And as the appointment of Pharrell Williams to succeed Virgil Abloh has shown, choices can be unexpected after long speculation.
