Chloé fashion house is one of the most famous and influential brands in the French fashion industry. Since its creation in 1952, it has distinguished itself with its feminine, romantic and innovative style, appreciated by many famous women such as Brigitte Bardot, Grace Kelly, Maria Callas or Jackie Kennedy. In this article I would like to introduce you to the history and distinctive features of this fashion house, which stands for embodied femininity like probably no other.
Chloé was founded by Egyptian-French designer Gaby Aghion, who wanted to turn away from the stiff and conservative fashion of the post-war period. She invented the term “prêt-à-porter” (ready to wear) to describe her collections, which were made of high-quality fabrics but were also comfortable and suitable for everyday wear. She also gave her designs poetic names like “Violon”, “Libellule” or “Lune” to express her creativity and imagination.
Aghion collaborated with several talented designers who continued and enriched the Chloé legacy. They included Karl Lagerfeld, who worked for Chloé from 1964 to 1983 and from 1992 to 1997; Stella McCartney, who was the creative director from 1997 to 2001; Phoebe Philo, who provided a minimalist and elegant style from 2001 to 2006; and Clare Waight Keller, who was the first woman to lead Chloé from 2011 to 2017.
The Chloé fashion house is known not only for its clothes, but also for its accessories, especially its bags. The most famous is the “Paddington”, which was introduced in 2005 and was characterized by a large padlock. It became one of Chloé’s best-selling products and a symbol of the “boho chic” look. Other popular bag models are the “Paraty”, the “Marcie” or the “Drew”.
Chloé also stands for female friendship and solidarity, embodied by women in art, literature and music. So Chloé is more than just a fashion house, it is a philosophy, an attitude and an inspiration for many women around the world. It is a brand that constantly renews and adapts without losing its identity and values. It is a brand that encourages women to be themselves and realize their dreams.