THE FUTURE OF CHANEL: WHO WILL BE THE NEXT CREATIVE DIRECTOR?

Chanel’s SS25 is still fresh in our minds – and quite frankly, it should be, considering it was this week – but we’re already looking ahead at the future of the French couture house, Chanel. With the most recent collection marking the first since Virginie Viard’s departure, who is set to take over as Chanel’s next creative director? Below, Rewind breaks down every designer whose name is in the rumour mill for the most coveted position in fashion.

John Galliano

The man fashion has been gearing up for a comeback over the past 12 months (cc: the High & Low documentary, which tackled his triumphs and controversies, and his prominence in the recent In Vogue: The Nineties documentary) is reportedly leaving Maison Margiela... Will Chanel be his next destination?

Hedi Slimane

Previous creative director at Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, spent 36 years at the brand, which means his posthumous influence cannot be underestimated. Lagerfeld was a vocal supporter of Hedi Slimane’s work, particularly during his Saint Laurent and Dior Homme years. Lagerfeld was such a fan, in fact, that he took up a low-fat diet that he washed down with Diet Coke. Slimane – with his focus on menswear, the stripping away of logos, and his rock n roll aesthetic – would completely change Chanel. We'll have to wait and see...

Sarah Burton

It has since been announced that Sarah Burton has joined Givenchy. However, in an industry with so few female creative directors, it would be wonderful to see her continue Viard’s legacy. We wish her the best of luck at Givenchy!

Simon Porte Jacquemus

Jacquemus is exactly what Chanel needs. He is young, a celebrity favourite, and loved by younger audiences – a target that is becoming increasingly important for major luxury brands, and one Chanel has been missing out on in recent years. Jacquemus has already referenced Chanel house codes in pieces he created for the Lagerfeld-dedicated Met Gala, as seen on Bad Bunny.

The Olsen Twins

Chanel quietly bought stakes in The Row – the fashion house started by former actresses and twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen – and it does seem like a natural fit. The Row is cool, contemporary, and very, very, very chic. If female creative directors are one legacy of Chanel, then so is being chic.

Marc Jacobs

There's also Marc Jacobs. Jacobs is already busy with two brands, but crazier things have happened in fashion. He has been planting the seed since 2005 when he told New York magazine that designing for Chanel would be the only thing he’d love more than designing for his own brand.

Phoebe Philo 

Phoebe Philo has been dubbed the Chanel of her generation so it would make complete sense for Philo to take over at Chanel. This one might just be more of a fantasy, as she has expressed the desire for independence in the fashion world, working outside of the strict rules that come with Chanel.

If the fashion world loves one thing, aside from clothes that is, it’s gossip, so this list could go on and on as other names that have come up include Burberry’s Christopher Bailey and Moschino’s Jeremy Scott. Be sure to keep an eye on Rewind’s blog for updates, and in the mean time… care to shop pre-loved Chanel?