Virginie Viard's Departure

Virginie Viard left Chanel after a Marseille cruise collection underperformed in June 2024.

The Intermission

Viard describes the intermission as the lull between important events, a moment of nothing.

“The moment when the audience gets up, goes to the restroom, orders drinks, and chats in the hallway. The moment when nothing really happens.”

Her Book Unveiled

Viard's book Un regard: Une vie chez Chanel, published during Paris Fashion Week, details her post-Chanel life.

The Eviction

Viard was abruptly removed from Chanel after a lunch meeting with an owner, her name vanished from collections.

Lagerfeld's Memory

Viard describes being haunted by Lagerfeld's memory, a ghost in her post-Chanel life.

The Intermission Chapter

Viard writes a 13-page letter to 'Dear Karl', detailing their relationship and shared history.

“How can you explain giving so much to someone who hurts you so often?”

The Creative Divide

Viard contrasts Lagerfeld's sketching speed with her collage-based approach to design.

The Unspoken Struggle

Viard admits she couldn't sell her collections, failing to articulate her vision to the public.

“When you can't explain what you do, others will define it for you.”

The Haunting Legacy

Viard's book becomes an ethnography of luxury, highlighting her routine life and Chanel's opulence.

The Final Letter

Viard signs off with a love letter to Lagerfeld, expressing her longing for his presence.

“I'd like to rest my head on your shoulder like I used to, hold your hand, and, by your side, reminisce.”