The fashion industry is in a state of flux. Ahead of the Fashion Month, Emirates Woman rounds up the notable shake ups and designer departures to know, from Dries Van Noten, Chanel, Bottega Veneta to Maison Margiela. With the changing of the creative guards, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year ahead.

In March, news circulated of Dries Van Noten’s exit from his namesake label and he showed his final collection in June at Men’s Paris Fashion Week. In December, it was announced that 33-year-old Belgian designer Julian Klausner, a member of Dries Van Noten’s design team who worked alongside Dries himself since 2018, was promoted internally and will be showcasing his first women’s collection at Paris Fashion Week in March.

 

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Last June, Virginie Viard’s sudden exit from Chanel has speculated rumors with the fashion industry on her potential replacement. With such big shoes to fill, the French luxury brand has finally announced Matthieu Blazy as its new Artistic Director of Fashion, who announced his exit Bottega Veneta in December and has sent ripples in the fashion industry.

 

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September and October came in with a flurry of announcements from some of the biggest fashion houses. Following her exit from Alexander McQueen in 2023, Sarah Burton took over the creative role at Givenchy, following the footsteps of Lee McQueen who served as the artistic director from 1996 to 2001. Haider Ackermann was appointed as creative director at Tom Ford, replacing a short stint by inside talent Peter Hawkings. Tom Ford said, “I have long been a great fan of Haider’s work. I find both his womenswear and menswear equally compelling. He is an incredible colorist, his tailoring is sharp, and above all he is modern. We share many of the same historical references, and I could not be more excited to see what he does with the brand. I suspect that I will be the first on my feet to applaud after his show in March.” French Maison Celine ended the speculations as it announced the departure of Hedi Slimane. Having served as the artistic, creative and image director for the past seven years and taking the reins from Phoebe Philo in 2017, Slimane has reimagined the iconic house codes and introduced new territories such as couture and fragrances, resulting in a profitable success, securing its position as LVMH’s third largest fashion house. Before the dust settled, American designer Michael Rider was announced to be replacing Slimane. Previously at Polo Ralph Lauren, Rider began his design career with Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga and for a decade with Phoebe Philo at Celine. Adding to the whirlwind of changes, British designer Kim Jones exited Fendi as women’s artistic director for haute couture and ready-to- wear collections, a position he has held for four eventful years, succeeding Karl Lagerfeld who served as the creative director until his passing in 2019. As of time of publishing, the Italian house has yet to announce a replacement for the coveted role.

 

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In December, John Galliano has parted ways with Maison Margiela, winding up a 10-year tenure at an all-time high with his 2024 Artisanal Collection. In an Instagram statement, Galliano addressed whispers of where he’s supposedly heading, “The rumors… Everyone wants to know, and everyone wants to dream. When the time is right, all will be revealed.”

 

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Capping of the year, Bottega Veneta appointed British designer Louise Trotter to bring her pared-back sensibilities to the Italian brand.

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