Photo credits: Matthieu Blazy Instagram
Secrets of Success, Love, and Life: The Legacy of the World’s Visionaries. A recurring Monaco Voice column exploring the lives, achievements, and philosophies of the world’s most influential visionaries, uncovering the secrets behind their success and enduring legacies curated by actress Vladyslava Garkusha.
Matthieu Blazy moves through the fashion world with the calm precision of a master craftsman - quietly focused, intuitively attuned to form, texture, and the lasting power of beauty. Born in 1984 in Paris to an art expert father and a historian mother, Blazy’s upbringing was steeped in a deep appreciation for culture, intellect, and discipline. Attention to detail seems to run in the family: his twin sister now lives in Singapore, while his older brother charts the skies as an airplane pilot.
Blazy’s education reflects his multidimensional curiosity. He began at a Marist boarding school in the Ardèche region of France, followed by time at a military academy in England. But it was at La Cambre in Brussels - where he graduated in 2007 - that his vision began to crystallize. There, he immersed himself not only in fashion but in art, music, and semiotics, developing a broad cultural fluency that continues to inform his work.
His early career was shaped by pivotal mentorships. An internship with Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga, followed by an encounter with Raf Simons, helped lay the foundation for his precise, material-driven approach to design. In 2007, he joined Simons at Maison Margiela, contributing to the Artisanal line and womenswear collections - work that demanded both creative ingenuity and technical mastery.
Blazy’s professional journey reads less like a rapid rise and more like a carefully composed narrative. After Margiela, he brought his quiet strength to Phoebe Philo’s Céline, and later to Calvin Klein, again under Simons. Each chapter refined his understanding of brand identity, silhouette, and restraint - qualities that would define his signature.
In 2020, Blazy joined Bottega Veneta as design director for ready-to-wear. Just a year later, he was appointed creative director - a role in which he led a renaissance of the house’s artisanal heritage. His revival of intrecciato weaving and trompe-l’œil leather techniques felt both modern and deeply rooted. Signature pieces such as the Kalimero and Andiamo bags quickly became emblematic of his tenure, while the opening of the Avenue Montaigne flagship in Paris marked a defining moment for the brand.
Photo credits: Bottega Veneta
Then, in December 2024, came a historic appointment: Matthieu Blazy was named Artistic Director of Chanel, responsible for overseeing the house’s ready-to-wear, haute couture, and accessories. His debut collection for Spring/Summer 2026 was unveiled on October 6, 2025, at the Grand Palais. The show featured a reflective runway and a celestial-themed set - an elegant nod to Coco Chanel’s fascination with stars and symbols. The collection reinterpreted classic Chanel codes - frayed tweeds, precise tailoring, layered silhouettes - with a contemporary clarity that was widely praised for its subtlety and depth.
Photo credits: Chanel Instagram
A Life in Quiet Motion
While his work speaks volumes, Blazy’s personal life remains, by choice, private. For over a decade, he was in a relationship with fellow designer Pieter Mulier. Their shared life was rooted in mutual admiration and a common passion for art and fashion. When Mulier became the creative director of Alaïa, Blazy’s Instagram post was short and sincere: “Bravo Pieter! I am so proud of you.” Sometimes, a decade of shared understanding fits best in a single line.
Photo credits: Matthieu Blazy Instagram. Pieter Mulier
During his time in Milan, Blazy lived with his dog, John John, and his mornings often began with a walk, followed by long, focused hours in the studio. Outside of fashion, Blazy describes himself, humbly, as a “Sunday painter.” Though one suspects that even his casual sketches carry the same quiet intelligence as his collections.
Carrying a Legacy Forward
Blazy doesn’t indulge in nostalgia - but he does believe in honoring the past. In taking the helm at Chanel, he inherits not just a fashion house, but a cultural institution.
Photo credits: Chanel Instagram
“May my legend prosper and thrive,” Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel once said. In Matthieu Blazy’s hands, that legacy feels not only secure - but newly alive.