Chanel has appointed Ayo Edebiri as its first Black House Ambassador, redefining the brand’s legacy and signaling a broader commitment to inclusion and cultural evolution in luxury.
The announcement came alongside Matthieu Blazy’s Spring/Summer 2026 runway show, where Edebiri made a notable appearance in a sleek all-black Chanel ensemble. The partnership, which officially began on October 6, marks a major moment in the French fashion house’s nearly 110-year history.
While Chanel has featured Black models and muses before, this is the first time a Black actress has held the House Ambassador title a symbolic shift in an industry long scrutinised for its lack of diversity at the top.
She embodies a new generation of genre-defying performers, Her distinctive style, wit, and singular perspective make her a natural ally of Chanel,” the brand said in a statement.
Edebiri, best known for her Emmy-winning performance in The Bear, has quickly become a rising fashion icon, known for blending vintage Hollywood glamour with sharp, modern styling.
Partnering with stylist Danielle Goldberg, she’s carved out a fashion identity that’s intelligent, intentional, and powerful qualities that now align her with the aesthetic direction of Chanel under Blazy.
This isn’t just a red carpet moment it’s a cultural reset. Chanel’s decision reflects an internal shift toward reinterpreting heritage through a more inclusive and multi-dimensional lens. Edebiri’s appointment signifies more than representation; it reflects a narrative realignment in how luxury fashion chooses its storytellers.
Her red carpet debut as an ambassador at the After the Hunt premiere in London, wearing a white draped gown from Chanel’s Spring 2026 collection, symbolised both access and authenticity. She wasn’t just wearing Chanel she was embodying a new version of it.
For Black women and underrepresented voices in fashion, her appointment represents a long-overdue opening of doors. It positions Edebiri not just as a face, but as a collaborator, potentially paving the way for future creative ventures within Chanelwhether in campaigns, capsule collections, or film-adjacent storytelling.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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