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Fashion’s Big Shakeup in 2025: Dior, Balenciaga & More Get New Creative Directors
FASHION / 2025-06-17
- Gucci: Demna Takes Over, and It’s About to Get Weird
- Chanel: Matthieu Blazy Brings Craft Back to Coco
- Dior: One Kingdom, One Vision, One Anderson
- Balenciaga: Romanticism Replaces Raw Edge
- Celine: Philo 2.0 Is Here
- Valentino: Michele Makes It Maximal
- Loewe: Double Trouble in the Best Way
- Bottega Veneta: Understated Luxury Ahead
- Givenchy: Enter the Dark Queen
- Versace: The House Leaves the Family
2024 was a rollercoaster for the fashion world. While economic slowdowns hit global luxury brands hard, the real drama happened behind the scenes—with a game of musical chairs that saw creative directors exiting left and right.
From Chanel’s Virginie Viard to Celine’s Hedi Slimane, and even Sabato De Sarno leaving Gucci, the fashion houses scrambled to reset their creative compass. Sound confusing? Don’t worry—we’ve broken it all down. Here’s your ultimate guide to who’s in, who’s out, and what it all means for fashion in 2025.
Gucci: Demna Takes Over, and It’s About to Get Weird
New Creative Director: Demna
The biggest shock of the year? Demna, the mastermind behind Balenciaga’s edgy, boundary-pushing aesthetic, is now heading Gucci. After Sabato De Sarno brought his signature “Ancora Red” minimalism to the brand, he made a surprise exit. Enter Demna, known for his deconstructed silhouettes and dark irony. Can he balance Gucci’s opulent heritage with his underground aesthetic? One thing’s for sure—we’re all watching.
Chanel: Matthieu Blazy Brings Craft Back to Coco
New Creative Director: Matthieu Blazy
Chanel is turning the page. After five years with Virginie Viard at the helm, the house has tapped Bottega Veneta’s golden boy Matthieu Blazy as its next creative leader. Known for his meticulous craftsmanship and modern reinterpretation of classic codes, Blazy is expected to reenergize Chanel with new vision—his first collection is set to debut in late 2025.
Dior: One Kingdom, One Vision, One Anderson
New Creative Director: Jonathan Anderson
LVMH made a bold move—consolidating Dior’s men’s, women’s, and haute couture lines under one name: Jonathan Anderson. After a decade shaping Loewe into a cult favorite, JW Anderson will now steer the entire Dior universe. He’s the first designer since Christian Dior himself to have full control of the brand. Is it risky? Yes. But it also might be genius.
Balenciaga: Romanticism Replaces Raw Edge
New Creative Director: Pierpaolo Piccioli
As Demna leaves for Gucci, Valentino’s longtime visionary Pierpaolo Piccioli steps in at Balenciaga. Known for dreamy color palettes and poetic silhouettes, Piccioli brings an entirely different energy to the label known for its avant-garde boldness. Expect a softer, more romantic Balenciaga—but still with edge.
Celine: Philo 2.0 Is Here
New Creative Director: Michael Rider
When Hedi Slimane announced his exit, fans immediately asked: “Is Phoebe Philo coming back?” Not quite, but close. Michael Rider, one of Philo’s former right-hand men, is now in charge. He’s expected to bring back the intellectual minimalism that made Celine a cult obsession in the 2010s. The Philo-philes are already celebrating.
Valentino: Michele Makes It Maximal
New Creative Director: Alessandro Michele
After parting ways with Pierpaolo Piccioli, Valentino is entering a fantastical new era. Alessandro Michele—the man who turned Gucci into a maximalist fever dream—is now calling the shots. He’s already teased his direction in the Spring/Summer 2025 collection. Think Italian couture meets myth and magic.
Loewe: Double Trouble in the Best Way
New Creative Directors: Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez
With Jonathan Anderson leaving Dior-bound, Loewe is bringing in a dynamic duo: Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler. The New York-based designers are known for sharp tailoring and modern elegance. How will they merge their urban cool with Loewe’s Spanish craftsmanship? We’re excited to find out.
Bottega Veneta: Understated Luxury Ahead
New Creative Director: Louise Trotter
Following Matthieu Blazy’s departure to Chanel, BV tapped British designer Louise Trotter. With a background at Lacoste and Carven, she’s known for quiet sophistication. Less “hype,” more “wearable luxury”—expect Bottega to lean into its minimalist roots.
Givenchy: Enter the Dark Queen
New Creative Director: Sarah Burton
Finally, Givenchy has filled its long-vacant creative role with Sarah Burton, who spent over 25 years at Alexander McQueen. Her dark romanticism and mastery of tailoring are a perfect match for Givenchy’s moody DNA, and fashion insiders are already buzzing.
Versace: The House Leaves the Family
New Creative Director: Dario Vitale
For the first time ever, Versace has a non-family member at the helm. Dario Vitale, the low-key genius behind Miu Miu’s recent global rise, is now the new creative director. The big kicker? Prada Group has officially acquired Versace. Donatella Versace will stay on as brand ambassador, but a brand-new Versace era is beginning.
The Brands That Didn’t Blink
Amid all the chaos, some houses held their ground:
- Saint Laurent: Anthony Vaccarello remains, continuing his sleek, sharp reign.
- Hermès: Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski continues her quiet luxury magic after 10 years.
- Prada: Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons are still a dream team.
- Miu Miu: Still going strong under Miuccia alone, sitting pretty as fashion’s current It-brand.
Ones to Watch
- Chloé: Chemena Kamali’s return has been a hit, bringing back boho romance.
- Burberry: Daniel Lee lit things up with his debut—now comes the hard part: keeping momentum
Fashion’s Game of Thrones Isn’t Over Yet
The creative director shuffle in 2025 is more than just juicy industry gossip—it’s a mirror of the pressure, speed, and reinvention that define modern fashion. Will these shakeups usher in a new golden age, or throw the industry into more chaos?
One thing’s for sure: this drama’s far from over. Buckle up.