Chanel brings Métiers d’Art collection to New York for December 2025 show

Chanel has announced it will present its 2025/26 Métiers d'Art collection on December 2, 2025, in New York City, marking Matthieu Blazy's first show as creative director dedicated to the house's artisanal excellence, continuing a relationship between the brand and the city that dates back to the 1930s.

Matthieu Blazy's Creative Direction

In December 2024, Matthieu Blazy was appointed artistic director of fashion collections at Chanel, taking on one of the most prestigious roles in global fashion. The 40-year-old French-Belgian designer will oversee haute couture, ready-to-wear, and accessories at the storied house starting in 2025, becoming only the third designer to succeed founder Coco Chanel since her death in 1971. He follows Virginie Viard, who departed in June 2024 after five years, and the legendary Karl Lagerfeld, who led the brand for 36 years until his death in 2019.businessoffashion+3

Blazy joins Chanel after an impressive three-year tenure as creative director at Bottega Veneta, where he earned industry acclaim for collections that masterfully combined traditional craftsmanship with innovative materials and cultural references. Chanel's leadership, including Global Executive Chairman Alain Wertheimer and CEO Leena Nair, described him as "one of the most gifted designers of his generation," expressing confidence that "his vision and talent will reinforce the energy of the Brand and our position as a leader in luxury." Blazy himself stated, "I am thrilled and honoured to join the wonderful House of Chanel. I look forward to meeting all the teams and writing this new chapter together."youtube+4

Temple of Dendur Connection

The Temple of Dendur served as the dramatic backdrop for Chanel's 2018/19 Métiers d'Art show, creating a powerful connection between fashion and ancient history. This sandstone monument, completed around 10 BC during Augustus Caesar's reign and dedicated to Isis and Osiris, was relocated from Egypt to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the 1960s to save it from submersion following construction of the Aswan Dam. Creative director Karl Lagerfeld, who had long been fascinated by Egyptian civilization, deliberately chose this iconic setting to inform his collection's aesthetic, noting: "Egyptian civilisation has always fascinated me: I get inspired by an idea, which I make a reality."dezeen+4

The collection itself embraced the Egyptian theme with striking visual elements including gold-painted models, hieroglyphic patterns, scarab beetles, lotus flowers, and ankh symbols. Standout moments included Pharrell Williams walking the runway in gold leather pants, boots, and a matching ribbed knit tunic adorned with Tutankhamun-worthy jewelry. The presentation featured Chanel's signature tweeds reimagined with gold threading and beaded cotton, alongside languid silhouettes that referenced ancient Egyptian garments, creating a respectful yet creative dialogue between the historic temple setting and contemporary fashion.elle+4

Artisanal Maisons Showcase

The artisanal heritage that defines Chanel's Métiers d'Art collections stems from a global tradition of luxury craftsmanship preserved by fashion houses worldwide. These specialized techniques range from VOZ's Chilean weaving and natural fabric dyeing to Schiaparelli's surrealist gold brooches and statement jewelry pieces. Many of these artisanal workshops have been acquired by luxury conglomerates to preserve their unique skills—LVMH maintains 16 fashion and leather goods maisons dating back as far as 1846, while Kering and Richemont similarly protect their respective houses' craftsmanship traditions.eluxemagazine+4

The value of these artisanal techniques lies in their ability to differentiate luxury products through exceptional quality and cultural storytelling. Italian manufacturers like Limonta combine traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, while French houses like Maison Margiela build their identity on "nonconformity and the subversion of norms" through distinctive techniques. This global network of artisanal excellence—from Middle Eastern-influenced Elie Saab's intricate embroidery to Fendi's revolutionary fur craftsmanship—forms the creative foundation that Blazy will now harness for Chanel's upcoming New York presentation.lvmh+2