Lucia Pieroni Appointed Chanel Creative Makeup Director
Chanel names Lucia Pieroni as its new Creative Makeup Director, effective September 14, 2026. The appointment marks a strategic shift back to a singular artistic vision for the brand's cosmetics.
Lucia Pieroni has been appointed Creative Makeup Director at Chanel, effective September 14, 2026. She will report to Simona Cattaneo, president of fragrance and beauty, and work alongside the Chanel Makeup Creation Studio.
Pieroni said being chosen to join Chanel is a great honor. She will assume the role from September 2026.
Career trajectory and expertise
Lucia Pieroni brings 35 years of makeup industry experience to the role. Her career spans fashion, beauty, and photography. Trained as a painter, she began in London before moving to New York in 1995.
From 2006 to 2019, she served as creative director of makeup at Clé de Peau Beauté, part of the Shiseido Group. There, she reshaped the brand with her eye for light, shadow, and color, leading to sophisticated makeup palettes and cult followings.
Her extensive portfolio includes work with major fashion houses, photographers, and celebrities.
Strategic context at Chanel
The appointment follows a period of significant financial growth for Chanel and marks a return to a single artistic direction. In 2025, Chanel reported $19.3 billion in revenue, a 2% year-on-year increase. Its operating profit rose 5% to $4.7 billion.
Prior to Pieroni, Chanel had adopted a collaborative model. In October 2022, the brand appointed a trio of global creative makeup partners known as the Comètes Collective, comprised of emerging talents Ammy Drammeh, Cécile Paravina, and Valentina Li.
This structure followed the tenure of Lucia Pica, who was global creative makeup and color designer from 2015 to 2021. Peter Philips drove makeup development between 2008 and 2013. Before that, Dominique Moncourtois and Heidi Morawetz helmed the division together for nearly three decades.
Alain Wertheimer and Leena Nair believe Pieroni's expertise will bring a fresh perspective and strengthen the dynamism of the makeup segment.
Artistic vision and collaboration
Pieroni’s approach will focus on beauty that feels intuitive and expressive, highlighting the individuality of each face. She will collaborate closely with artistic director Matthieu Blazy, whose collections have achieved commercial and critical success. Pieroni referenced the momentum he has driven since his appointment in 2025, having worked with him starting with his first Chanel collection presented that October.
Simona Cattaneo said Pieroni's vision of makeup is about revealing a face’s singularity, energy, personality, and features. Cattaneo referenced a quote from Gabrielle Chanel: 'Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.' She stated that Pieroni believes makeup can be both an intimate gesture of self-revelation and a space for creativity, play, and freedom.
Cattaneo highlighted Pieroni's mastery of light and texture. "Pieroni brings an instinct for beauty and an understanding of how to highlight the individuality of each face, describing her approach as intuitive and expressive," she said.
Pieroni's artistry ranges from dewy complexions to bold lips and includes textural and graphic elements. Cattaneo noted her ability to bring flamboyant creativity where color and material become almost craft through expression.
Lucia Pieroni said she is thrilled to share her artistic vision with Chanel’s creative team at an exciting juncture in the brand’s journey. Her first initiatives at Chanel will focus on intuitive, expressive beauty that highlights the individuality of each face.
