Russian supermodel Anne Vyalitsyna—Anne V—made a striking return to the Chanel runway under Matthieu Blazy, closing the March 2026 Spring show in Paris and appearing in couture and cruise moments in April 2026. Her comeback lands as a continuation of a deeper
Anne Vyalitsyna didn’t just show up—she closed the March 2026 Spring show in Paris with the kind of finish that tells an entire room to pay attention. For Chanel under Matthieu Blazy, it was a comeback moment with old roots and a new cadence.
Chanel’s creative shift has been playing out in public since the Métiers d’Art takeover of a New York City subway station in December 2025. Alongside fresh faces making their runway debuts, one familiar name stood out: Anne V, the Russian supermodel known simply as Anne V.
In March 2026, she closed Chanel’s Spring show in Paris. In April 2026, she was also a staple in the house’s Couture show and returned again for Cruise on April 28 in Biarritz, France.
The model didn’t keep her reaction private. On Instagram. Anne V wrote. “What a dream it is to be part of this incredible @chanelofficial couture show. and to be included in this vision of lightness. beauty and imagination. ” adding. “Thank you to everyone who made this magic happen… And to my darling @matthieu_blazy — my biggest supporter — it’s been so beautiful to get to know you and be a part of your vision. thank you for always allowing us to bring our personal message into your shows. Mine was kindness.”.
Later. after the Paris Fashion Week Spring 2026 show. she returned with another post: “Thank you dear @matthieu_blazy for having trust in me to close this show with so much love. grace and joy. ” she wrote. “As a new decade of my life is about to open up — having someone like you who truly sees you makes it so much more exciting to step into.”.
For long-time fashion followers, this wasn’t the first chapter. In 2003. during the height of her modeling rise. Anne V launched Chanel Chance—an early sign of how she could capture modern femininity for the brand. The campaign’s effortless glamour came through in the way she helped define the era: playful yet polished. sensual yet understated.
Years later, her connection stayed alive. She reunited with Chanel in 2012, photographed by Jean-Paul Goude for another Chanel project, strengthening her place within the house’s visual legacy.
Now, at 40, her re-emergence feels less like a reset and more like fashion picking up a thread it never fully let go. Under Blazy’s direction, she’s become a recurring presence—one many attendees read as both a tribute to Chanel’s heritage and a signal of where the house wants to go next.
Blazy has spoken about wanting models who carry a sense of character and authenticity rather than simply fitting a look. With Anne V back in the mix—closing the Spring 2026 show, appearing across couture and cruise—Chanel is leaning into that idea in real time, not just as messaging.
And this time, it may not end at the runway. Beyond her appearances, Anne V is expected to appear in an upcoming Chanel campaign, a move that would officially cement her return from archival muse to contemporary face of the brand once again.
Anne V Anne Vyalitsyna Chanel Matthieu Blazy runway spring 2026 couture cruise Biarritz Paris Fashion Week Chanel Chance Jean-Paul Goude fashion news
Who is Anne V again?
So Chanel brought her back like it’s a comeback tour? I saw something about the subway thing in NYC and thought that was the whole story lol.
Wait Matthieu Blazy is the one doing the “lightness, beauty, imagination” thing right? Also doesn’t it say she’s Russian… so is this like political or just fashion? People always acting weird about that.
I don’t get why everyone cares so much. It’s just a runway close. Like maybe she’s famous bc she was on the subway station takeover or whatever, but the article is kinda all over the place with March/April/Paris/Biarritz. Also the quote part… Instagram posts always feel scripted to me. Still though, closing a Chanel show is a big deal I guess.