A part of the Left Bank intellectual crowd who shared her mother’s fondness for fashion, Chloé cofounder Gaby Aghion was inspired to empower independent working women to break from the conservative dress of the 1950s and don more free-spirited, feminine designs that were appropriate for both work and social life.
Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Aghion established her fashion house in Paris in 1952 with her business partner Jacques Lenoir to develop her own source of income, separate from her husband’s. She was one of the first designers to embrace the concept of luxury prêt-à-porter as a middle ground between haute couture and off-the-rack for the masses.
In 1964, Aghion hired a fledgling Karl Lagerfeld as a designer. The pair would bring Chloé into the international spotlight with their easy yet glamorous lines that drew such fans as Jacqueline Kennedy. Lagerfeld became the staff creative lead at Chloé in 1974 and stayed with the brand until 1983, during which time he became known for his romantic silk dresses that continued Aghion’s feminine vision and were a favorite of the “rich hippie” set. In 1988, then-unknown designer Martine Sitbon took the helm of Chloé for several years before Lagerfeld returned as creative director from 1992 to 1997, drawing all of the iconic 1990s supermodels to his runway.
After his second departure, Chloé tapped yet another early-career designer to lead the label: a punky 25-year-old Stella McCartney, who earned the position not because of her famous lineage (she’s the daughter of Paul and Linda McCartney), but because of her fashion education at Central Saint Martins and work experience on London’s Savile Row and at Christian Lacroix. Following McCartney’s exit to launch her own line in 2001 — not long after introducing the diffusion label See by Chloé that year — Chloé named Phoebe Philo to the post.
Under Philo’s leadership, Chloé expanded from women’s clothing to an accessories line — including handbags — and debuted the legendary Paddington bag in 2005. The padlocked satchel, notorious for weighing a hefty three pounds while empty, became one of the “It bags” of the decade (the brand’s double-handled Marcie holds its own in that regard); the entire 8,000-bag initial production run sold out via preorders.
Philo left Chloé in 2006; her successors include, among others, Clare Waight Kelle and Natacha Ramsay-Levi, who announced that she would be departing the house in late 2020. Part of Chloé’s decades-long lasting influence — which we’d like to speculate would appease Aghion greatly — is the brand’s dedication as a career-launching platform for newbie designers, particularly women.
Browse an extraordinary inventory of vintage Chloé handbags, day dresses, shoes and more on 1stDibs.
CHLOE Red Sand brown 2022 MERIL CHECK JACQUARD Bucket Hat 57
By Chloé
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Chloé Meril bucket hat is crafted from handwoven cognac brown, white, and black check jacquard cotton (100%). A stylish and casual accessory, it blends artisanal ...
Valentino Red Straw Hat
By Valentino
Located in Alford, MA
Valentino red straw hat, the deep back tapering towards the front, where it is creased in the middle and held with a straw knot and tie. The straw is worked in concentric circles and...
$450
Size: 6 7/8 Medium
Maison Michel Brimmed Caramel Felt High Top Hat w Silk Leaves & Scalloped Band
By Maison Michel
Located in Gresham, OR
Maison Michel Autumn/Winter Medium Brim Caramel Felt Beautifully Blocked High Top Hat with Matching Silk and Velvet Oak Leaves and Wide Scalloped Felt Band: Unlabeled, with attached ...
ETRO Purple Metallic Crackled Leather Hats
By Etro
Located in San Francisco, CA
ETRO headband comes in purple metallic crackle leather featuring pegasus Etro logo details. Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Signs of wear. Measurements: Width: 2/5 inches Length:...
$2,200
Size: One size fits all
Spectacular 1940s Chartreause Ostrich Feather Perching Doll Hat Fascinator
Located in Gresham, OR
Spectacular 1940s Chartreause Ostrich Feather Perching Doll Hat Fascinator: High 40s style is yours in this extravagantly unusual custom made hat! No makers label but this bold col...
Maison Michel Autumn/Winter Chartreuse Wool Felt Wide Brim Fedora w Brocade Band
By Maison Michel
Located in Gresham, OR
Maison Michel Autumn/Winter Chartreuse Wool Felt Wide Brim Fedora w Wide Brocade Band and Felt Leaf Spray: Turned up 19" brim with a textured brocade ribbon band and a whimsical felt leaf flourish at front. Inner grosgrain band and combs for securing. US size 6 7/8. Please visit our 1Dibs Store for many more options from this same collection! Auguste Michel Hatter and Milliner founded his Atelier in 1936 in Paris. Michel Modes 65 Rue Sainte-Anne Paris. The atelier was sold in 1968 to Pierre Debard and his Milliner wife Claudine. In the 1970s Maison Michel provided hats and turbans...
Hermès two-tone bucket hat
By Hermès
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
HERMÈS - (Made in France) Burgundy and white cotton bucket hat. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Head circumference: 55 cm SKU:CHP143
$897Sale Price|40% Off
1960s/70s Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture Paneled Felt Hat
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a beautiful orange-paneled Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture hat. From the 1960s-70s, this custom, made-to-order piece features felt panels...
$450
Size: Medium with combs for securing.
1970s Lenore Marshall Lambsuede & Lamb Fur Winter Fedora w Round Crown & Flower
Located in Gresham, OR
1970s Lenore Marshall Bone-Color Lambsuede & Taupe Toned Lambskin Fur Winter Fedora w Rounded Tall Crown & Velour Felt Flower at Band: An unusually stylish winter fur / lambskin hat...
Gucci Straw Hat
By Gucci
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Gucci - (Made in Italy) Straw hat decorated with a green and red ribbon. M size indicated. Additional information: Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Head circumference: 54c...
$450
Size: 6 3/4 Medium
Maison Michel Medium Brim Copper Felt Hat with Feather Flower & Grosgrain Band
By Maison Michel
Located in Gresham, OR
Maison Michel Autumn/Winter Medium Brim Copper Felt Beautifully Blocked High Top Hat with Matching Flower, Feather and Wide Satin and Grosgrain Striped Band: Unlabeled, with attache...
1950's Henry Morgan Beehive Hat
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Henry Morgan whimsical beehive style hat straw from the 1950's. The woven iridescent hat is decorated with a faux flower on the side, and finished with a ...
$2,409
Chanel tweed boater hat
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHANEL - Boater hat made of beige-background multicolored tweed and decorated with a brown ribbon. Collection under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Condition: Good conditi...