For our first Visiting Professorship of 2025, Regent’s welcomed Elizabeth Anglès d’Auriac, President of Chanel UK Region. Speaking to students and staff, she shared her passion for nurturing the next generation of luxury leaders and blending history with modernity in a way that defines Chanel’s approach today.
Celebrating a century of Chanel in the UK
With 2025 marking 100 years of Chanel in the UK, Elizabeth reflected on what this milestone represents. ‘Britain influences Chanel’, she said, highlighting the UK’s role as a cultural powerhouse and a source of artistic and rebellious spirit which resonates with the brand’s ethos. She also touched on Gabrielle Chanel’s personal ties to the UK, including her patronage of the arts, which remains a key pillar of the brand’s identity today.
Chanel time, heritage and innovation
At the heart of Chanel lies a balance between heritage and innovation, a concept Elizabeth referred to as ‘CHANEL time’. ‘We work at two speeds’ she explained. ‘There’s the rhythm of heritage and the rhythm of innovation. Sometimes they feel contradictory, but that’s where creativity happens’. This philosophy is central to how Chanel remains relevant while staying true to its legacy. The recent appointment of a new Artistic Director of Fashion, Matthieu Blazy, Elizabeth noted, is part of this careful balance of 'continuity and renewal’.
Elizabeth spoke passionately about Gabrielle Chanel as a disruptor, someone who ‘introduced simplicity, freedom, and elegance’ to women’s fashion at a time when these ideas were radical. ‘She rejected the trends of the era’, Elizabeth noted, staying fiercely loyal to her vision. Even in advertising, Gabrielle Chanel was ahead of her time, making herself the face of her brand - one of the first designers to do so.
Luxury, sustainability and longevity
Sustainability was another key theme, with Elizabeth emphasising that luxury and sustainability are not opposing forces but intertwined. ‘When an object is sustainable, it is more desirable’, she explained. CHANEL & moi – Les Ateliers, offering the ultimate care, repair and alternation services is a testament to this, extending the life of luxury products and turning them into heritage pieces. The brand is also investing in long-term craftsmanship through partnerships with institutions such as the King’s Foundation, ensuring the next generation has the skills to uphold Chanel’s standards and quality.
Discussing Chanel’s most iconic pieces, Elizabeth explored how the brand constantly reinvents its classics. CHANEL No. 5, for instance, remains one of the top five fragrances in the world, but remaining relevant requires innovation. Selecting ambassadors like Margot Robbie continues the legacy of figures like Marilyn Monroe, who famously said she wore nothing but CHANEL No. 5 to bed.
Ending with advice for students, Elizabeth encouraged everyone to ‘go with your gut and work with people who inspire you’. She stressed the importance of continuous learning, adding, ‘be curious and keep learning the whole time - everything is changing’.
Keep an eye out for future Visiting Professorship and Distinguished Speaker Series on our Events page – or catch up with previous events.