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Former Cartier Creative Director To Head Chanel’s Jewelry Creation Studio
Marie-Laure Cérède will join Chanel as the new director of its jewelry creation studio, starting in October.
Chanel named Marie-Laure Cérède as director of its jewelry creation studio.
Paris—Chanel has named Marie-Laure Cérède as the director of its jewelry creation studio, beginning in October.
In this role, Cérède will be responsible for all precious and high jewelry creations, working alongside the jewelry teams in Paris and Geneva.
She will report to Frédéric Grangié, Chanel’s president of watches and fine jewelry.
“Her approach to creativity as a delicate balance between heritage, emotion, audacity, and restraint will bring a new perspective to the Chanel codes that define our unique creations,” said Grangié.
“Marie-Laure’s imagination and deep expertise in craft and knowledge of gemology will take Chanel in exciting new directions.”
The role was previously held by Patrice Leguéreau for nearly 15 years and has been open since his passing in November 2024.
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In this role, Cérède will be responsible for all precious and high jewelry creations, working alongside the jewelry teams in Paris and Geneva.
She will report to Frédéric Grangié, Chanel’s president of watches and fine jewelry.
“Her approach to creativity as a delicate balance between heritage, emotion, audacity, and restraint will bring a new perspective to the Chanel codes that define our unique creations,” said Grangié.
“Marie-Laure’s imagination and deep expertise in craft and knowledge of gemology will take Chanel in exciting new directions.”
The role was previously held by Patrice Leguéreau for nearly 15 years and has been open since his passing in November 2024.
Cérède graduated from ESCP Europe before beginning her career at Cartier.
She later joined Harry Winston, taking over the artistic direction of jewelry and watchmaking.
In 2016, she returned to Cartier as its creative director of jewelry and watchmaking and held the position for almost a decade.
“Marie-Laure Cérède is one of the most talented, refined, and accomplished creative directors of her generation,” said Alain Wertheimer, global executive chairman at Chanel, and Leena Nair, global CEO of Chanel, in a joint statement.
“Her vision, and creative ingenuity and her distinct talent to lead creative studios will shape the next chapter of Chanel’s creative story for jewelry.”
Cérède was raised in Libreville, Gabon, where she developed a sensitivity to nature, colors, and the cultures of the world since childhood, leading to her lifelong admiration of decorative arts and crafts.
“I am honored and moved to join Chanel, a maison of singular cultural force and exceptional discipline that continues to question convention, redefine femininity, and express modernity through form and spirit,” said Cérède.
“I am looking forward to meeting the teams and writing the new chapter together.”
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