Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie VIAR

The fashion world was shaken today by news of the death of 85-year-old Karl Lagerfeld. A few hours ago Chanel also confirmed that the successor of the designer on the post of creative Director will be Virginia VIAR, Studio Director Сhаnеl and the right hand of Lagerfeld. From the shadows of the workshop or the designer began to withdraw his colleague in advance: if you are presenting to the world its future successor, Lagerfeld came out the bows along with VIAR at shows lately.

During fashion Week in Paris in January of this year, Virginie came to the podium for the first time alone — as then many thought, as a temporary exception. But now this she will have to get used to. And we the time to learn more about the new creative Director of one of the most famous and luxurious brands in the world.

Virginie VIAR

A proven fighter

People far from fashion, it may seem that VIAR came out of nowhere last decade, the brand Chanel, of course, all exclusively associated with the name Karl Lagerfeld. But really VIAR long — time and loyal employee all the way in the modern history of the brand she walked side by side with the legendary designer.

Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie VIAR

For the post of creative Director Lagerfeld was in 1983, and VIAR joined the team in 1987. The Maestro himself always spoke to his assistant with enthusiasm, saying that she “has surpassed perfection” and “helps to breathe life into his ideas.”

Virginie VIAR model in the Studio

Meeting with Karl Lagerfeld

She VIAR planned to work in the field of cinema and theatre in Paris, she collaborated with the famous artist, costume designer Dominique Borg and even managed to work with her on the set of the film “Camille Claudel”, where the main role was played by Isabelle Adjani and Gerard Depardieu. Virginie and continued to build a career in this field, but a chain of random events, where he was involved, and the monarchy of the Principality of Monaco, completely changed her destiny.

The neighbor parents VIAR, who served as an assistant to Prince Rainier, when meeting with Lagerfeld put the word out about the talented girl, Virginie said in an interview.

First steps

VIAR told me that he took private lessons of cutting and sewing one elderly woman, and then at the age of 20 years along with a friend founded the brand Nirvana.

We took tissue from my grandfather, sewed clothes and sold them in different boutiques. It was cool and fun! When you have great content, work even the simplest styles!

recalled VIAR in an interview with ELLE.

However, for first lessons of the craft she learned as a child: in her family sewed and mother, and grandmother.

Work at Chanel with Karl Lagerfeld

With Lagerfeld at VIAR was formed almost a perfect duet, what a Studio Director repeatedly told herself. Calm and focused Virginie was the perfect rear for an emotional flight of imagination Lagerfeld.

We surprisingly get along with each other. He supports me and I him

— said VIAR.

United colleagues and amazing performance.

Karl and work at the same pace, and, in fact, now it is much easier to move with the maximum speed than to slow down,

— Virginie admitted in an interview with ELLE.

Personal life

Despite the fact that VIAR gives so much time to work, she managed to get a and family. However, the first marriage in Virginia was not very successful — as she confessed herself, her husband was not particularly pretty. The stamp in the passport since it is not an end in itself, for a long time she was not thinking of motherhood. Today she lives with her boyfriend Jean-Marc (to sign the couple is not in a hurry), from whom she bore a son. Today he’s 20 years old and he is studying business.

The appointment to the post

If sometimes the search for a replacement creative Director of the brand takes months, in the case of Chanel, the news of the appointment VIAR came just hours after the news of the death of Karl Lagerfeld.

Doubt anyone will be able to continue the work of masters, and the legacy of Gabriel Chanel, and progressive ideas introduced to the brand by German designer, there was none. The decision on the appointment took Alan Wertheimer, the owner of a controlling stake in Chanel.

We wish Virginie luck and strength!

Source
ELLE