Virginie Viard, the creative force behind Chanel’s recent successes, is set to leave the iconic fashion house, Chanel confirmed. After nearly 30 years with the company and a noteworthy five-year stint as the Artistic Director of Fashion collections, Viard will be leaving Chanel’s historic Paris base. Her departure marks the end of an era that saw the brand achieve a historic surge in sales, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, with revenues reaching $19.7 billion in 2023.

Viard, who first joined Chanel in 1987 and became Karl Lagerfeld’s closest collaborator, took the reins as artistic director following Lagerfeld’s death in 2019. During her leadership, she managed to respect Chanel’s creative heritage while bringing a fresh perspective to its signature items, including the re-tailoring of the iconic $20,000 tweed jackets. Under her direction, ready-to-wear sales expanded significantly, but the brand faced challenges, including criticisms over runway and red-carpet styling and product quality amidst soaring prices.

Chanel stated that a new creative organization will be announced in due course as the fashion industry speculates about potential shifts in luxury fashion’s leadership. Viard’s departure not only leaves a significant void at Chanel but also sets the stage for upcoming changes within the industry’s top ranks.