The fashion industry is poised for a transformative and exciting year in 2025, with several luxury brands appointing new creative directors to steer their artistic visions. And whilst fashion is known for being a fickle business, this current game of musical chairs can be hard to keep up with. Between John Galliano’s exit from Maison Margiela and the anticipation over who would replace Virginie Viard at Chanel, you may be looking for a guide on who works where.
Lucky for you, that is where I come in. Here’s an overview of the current fashion industry shakeups at Chanel, Bottega Venetta, Maison Margiela, Givenchy, Fendi, Tom Ford, Celine, and Dries Van Noten:
Fashion Creative Directors: The switch ups
Chanel
Former creative director: Virginie Viard (2019 – 2024)
Current creative director: Matthieu Blazy
One of the most anticipated announcements this year was who would take over Virginie Viard as Creative Director of Chanel. Well, after months of speculation, Chanel announced Bottega Veneta’s former Creative Director, Mattieu Blazy, as her official successor. Blazy is set to begin his role as Artistic Director during the second half of 2025—news that was met with much praise and excitement. Until then, the house’s haute couture and ready-to-wear shows from January to July will be designed by Chanel’s design studio.
Bottega Veneta
Former creative director: Matthieu Blazy (2021 – 2024)
Current creative director: Louise Trotter
Blazy’s departure from Bottega Veneta, of course, meant that one of fashion’s top jobs was open. Louise Trotter (formerly Carven) was announced as Blazys’ successor and started her new position in late January 2025.
Maison Margiela
Former creative director: John Galliano (2014 – 2024)
Current creative director: Glen Martens
Possibly the biggest shock in this creative director switch-up was the news that John Galliano was to depart Maison Margiela after 10 years. Not at all surprisingly, the designer has created some of the most memorable collections of the past decade since joining the house—his work will surely be missed. In January 2025 it was announced that Glen Martens (previously at Diesel) would take the helm.
Givenchy
Former creative director: Matthew Williams (2020 – 2023)
Current creative director: Sarah Burton
Sarah Burton, renowned for her tenure at Alexander McQueen, has been appointed as the new creative director of Givenchy. She succeeds Matthew Williams, who departed in January 2024. Burton presented her inaugural collection for Givenchy during Paris Fashion Week in March 2025. She will oversee both menswear and womenswear.
Fendi
Former creative director: Kim Jones (2020 – 2024)
Current creative director: TBC
As of December 2024, Fendi has not officially announced a new creative director following Kim Jones’s departure. The fashion community is keenly awaiting news on who will take the helm of this storied Italian house. Jones remains the Artistic Director of Dior Men.
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Tom Ford
Former creative director: Peter Hawkings (2023 – 2024)
Current creative director: Haider Ackermann
Haider Ackermann has been named the creative director of Tom Ford, following Peter Hawkings’s exit in July 2024. Ackermann, known for his distinctive tailoring and colour sensibilities, will oversee menswear, womenswear, accessories, and eyewear. His debut collection is scheduled for Paris Fashion Week in March 2025.
Celine
Former creative director: Hedi Slimane (2018 – 2024)
Current creative director: Michael Rider
Michael Rider has been appointed as the new creative director of Celine, succeeding Hedi Slimane, who departed in October 2024. Rider, who previously served as design director during Phoebe Philo’s tenure at Celine and later as creative director of Polo Ralph Lauren, is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the brand. His first collection will be showcased in early 2025.
Dries Van Noten
Former creative director: Dries Van Noten (1986 – 2024)
Current creative director: Julian Klausner
Julian Klausner has ascended to the role of creative director at Dries Van Noten, following the founder’s retirement in March 2024. Klausner, who has been with the brand since 2018, is anticipated to maintain the house’s signature aesthetic while infusing his unique vision. He will debut his first menswear collection in January 2025, with the women’s collection to follow in March during Paris Fashion Week.
Valentino
Former creative director: Pierpaolo Piccoli (2008 – 2024)
Current creative director: Alessandro Michele
In a shocking yet thrilling announcement in mid-2024, Alessandro Michele was appointed Valentino’s new creative director, succeeding Pierpaolo Piccioli after his celebrated tenure. Michele, who previously revolutionized Gucci with his maximalist, eclectic aesthetic, brings a daring new energy to Valentino.
Versace
Former creative director: Donatella Versace
Current creative director: Dario Vitale
I have to admit this one really got me. For the first time in history Versace will no longer be designed by a Versace. Donatella will still remain as chief brand ambassador which will involve overseeing Versace’s philanthropic endeavours. However, Dario Vitale will lead the brands creative side. His past experience includes Bottega Veneta, Dsquared2, and Miu Miu.
Gucci
Former creative director: Sabato De Sarno
Current creative director: Demna Gvasalia
With this game of musical chairs you would think that nothing would surprise us. Alas Gucci announced that Sabato De Sarno would be stepping down as Creative Director. The brands fall/winter 2025 collection was presented by the Gucci design studio before Demna Gvasalia (formerly Balenciaga) starts in July 2025.
Balenciaga
Former creative director: Demna Gvasalia
Current creative director: TBC
With Demna heading to Gucci, the question is now of course who will be the next creative director of Balenciaga? Demna’s contributions to Balenciaga spearheaded a new era for the brand. It therefore remains to be seen if his successor will continue his legacy or revamp the house once more.
Loewe
Former creative director: Jonathan Anderson
Current creative director: Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez
Jonathan Anderson’s departure from Loewe was rumoured for a while, yet the announcement still caused a stir. The designer was at the brand for 11 years and turned it from an accessories house to one of the biggest luxury brands of this decade. If anyone can continue this legacy it is Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez who have been announced as Anderson’s replacements.
Fashion creative directors that are staying put
As of April 2025, several prominent fashion creative directors are continuing their tenures at major luxury houses:
Anthony Vaccarello at Saint Laurent
Maria Grazia Chiuri at Dior
Daniel Lee at Burberry
Nicolas Ghesquière at Louis Vuitton
Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons at Prada
Ian Griffiths at Max Mara
Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski at Hermès
Chemena Kamali at Chloé
Fausto Puglisi at Roberto Cavalli
Fashion creative directors unknown next steps
John Galliano
Heidi Slimane
Pierpaolo Piccoli
Virginie Viard