1952
Gaby Aghion’s idea
Aghion developed luxurious ready-to-wear with an easier spirit. Early presentations in Paris cafés placed the clothes close to the cultural life of the Left Bank.
The House & Its Designers
Chloé
Paris · 1952
A freer wardrobe, with bags that balance softness and hardware.
Gaby Aghion founded Chloé to offer an alternative to the formality of couture. The house’s ready-to-wear history runs through fluid clothes, romantic details and leather bags designed to be carried every day.
24 photographs · Reviewed August 2026
Explore the history ↓
01 / The house
The story behind the name.
1960s–2000s
Different versions of ease
Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney and Phoebe Philo each reshaped Chloé. Under Philo, the padlocked Paddington became a defining bag of the 2000s.
2023 onward
A return to the archive
Chemena Kamali’s appointment in 2023 and debut in 2024 renewed attention to the house’s fluid silhouettes and 1970s references.
02 / The designers
The people who shaped the house.
Selected creative chapters; dates distinguish appointments from runway debuts.
Founder
Gaby Aghion
Established Chloé’s approach to luxurious ready-to-wear.
Two creative periods
Karl Lagerfeld
Developed the house’s romantic and playful vocabulary.
1997–2001
Stella McCartney
Mixed sharp tailoring with youthful femininity.
2001–2006
Phoebe Philo
Joined relaxed clothes to influential leather accessories.
2020–2023
Gabriela Hearst
Put material choices and craft at the centre of her collections.
Appointed 2023
Chemena Kamali
Revisits Chloé’s movement, softness and bohemian references.
On the runway
Selected looks and details, matched to the house and season.
Chloé · Spring 2023 Ready To Wear
Chloé · Fall 2024 Ready To Wear
Chloé · Spring 2025 Ready To Wear
03 / The bags
A vocabulary in leather and form.
A selection of the house’s designs. Resale photographs illustrate individual examples; size, finish and condition vary.
01
Marcie
Saddle-inspired curves and decorative stitching give this leather bag its identity.
02
Paddington
A softly structured day bag anchored by an oversized padlock.
03
Faye
A flap shoulder bag with a large metal ring linked to a chain.
04
Drew
A rounded saddle silhouette finished with a small turn-lock.
05
C
A structured bag built around prominent C-shaped hardware.
06
Tess
A rounded shoulder bag with a large ring at the front.
07
Edith
A substantial leather day bag with contrast stitching and a front pocket.
More designs to know
- Roy
- Metal rings and a broad strap accent this supple leather design.
- Walden
- A pared-back leather bag from the house’s daywear accessories range.
- Penelope
- Braided leather details and a softly structured body reflect the Gabriela Hearst chapter.