Viard steps down after 30 years with the house, the past five years heading it up, after the death of multi hyphenate fashion machine Karl Lagerfeld, whom she had previously worked in tandem as his right hand. Her ascension then was seen as an underwhelming yet level-headed steer on the future of one of the world’s leading and most renowned luxury brands. Chanel is still owned by the Wertheimers, Alain Wertheimer, 75, Chairman, and his brother Gerard, 74, who heads up the watch division. Their grandfather Pierre helped to fund Coco Chanel when she launched the phenomenally successful No5 perfume in 1924.
Chanel’s revolution: could Hedi Slimane replace Virginie Viard at the iconic house?
