LONDON: In a groundbreaking move, Chanel has named Ayo Edebiri as its newest House Ambassador, marking the first time in the brand’s nearly 110-year history that a Black actress has held the role.
The appointment, effective October 6, reflects the French luxury house’s evolving identity under creative director Matthieu Blazy and signals a stronger embrace of diversity, representation, and modern storytelling in high fashion.
Edebiri, best known for her acclaimed role in The Bear, made her first official appearance as ambassador at Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2026 show, dressed in an elegant all-black ensemble that embodied Parisian sophistication.
Days later, she graced the London premiere of after the Hunt in a white draped gown from the same collection seamlessly merging runway immediacy with red carpet star power.
While Chanel has long featured Black models and collaborators, this appointment stands apart as a milestone in luxury’s ongoing journey toward inclusivity.
In its announcement, Chanel described Edebiri as a new-generation, genre-defying performer who pushes boundaries, praising her wit, creativity, and authentic sense of self.
The move also reflects Blazy’s era of reinvention at Chanel one marked by introspection, experimentation, and a reimagining of what heritage means in the modern world.
With Edebiri, the brand signals that the front row of luxury fashion is expanding to include voices that once stood outside its gates.
For many Black women, Edebiri’s visibility within Chanel represents more than a career milestone it’s a cultural statement.
Her partnership challenges the long-held perceptions of who belongs in luxury and opens doors for broader representation across the industry.
Edebiri’s collaboration with Chanel is expected to extend beyond fashion shows and premieres, possibly into global ad campaigns, fragrance lines, and capsule collections.
Her cross-medium influence from television and film to digital culture ould help Chanel connect more deeply with younger, diverse audiences.
Ultimately, this partnership is not just about fashion. It is about narrative power about who tells the story of luxury and who embodies it.
Chanel’s choice of Ayo Edebiri marks a bold step toward a more inclusive and culturally attuned future.
