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 white 2025 PANAMA OPEN WEAVE STRAW Hat 57
By Chloé
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Chloé Panama hat is a timeless warm-weather accessory that combines artisanal craftsmanship with effortless sophistication. Expertly crafted from 100% toquilla pa...
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 ...
Vivienne Westwood red leather headband with light up Satyr horns, ss 1988
By Vivienne Westwood
Located in London, GB
▪ Vivienne Westwood red leather headband ▪ 'Britain Must Go Pagan', Spring-Summer 1988 ▪ Battery-powered light-up acrylic Satyr horns ▪ Unlabelled show piece ▪ First seen on the cov...
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:...
$76Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage PAUL STUART Beige Straw Fedora Hat
By Paul Stuart
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage PAUL STUART hat comes in a beige straw material featuring a fedora style and a beige ribbon trim. Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Fabric tag removed. Marked: Size tag rem...
$309
W 8.5 in L 11.5 in
Vintage 1930's Ivory Feather Hat 1930s Feather cocktail hat white feather swan
Located in Nashville, TN
This breathtaking 1930's hat, in a wonderful palette of ivory coloured feather, is a rare piece to behold . The elegant moulded crown of the hat, made on a stiffened calico base...
1960s Christian Dior Chapeaux Multicolor Rhinestone Beaded White Cloche Hat
By Christian Dior
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a fabulous off-white vintage Christian Dior webbed and beaded hat. From the 1960s, this hat is covered in a vibrant yellow net and is embellishe...
CHANEL PANAMA STRAWHAT size 57 signed 1994
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Stuttgart, DE
A very nice and light Panama straw hat from Chanel, garnished with an 8 cm wide black silk ribbon. The fine Panama straw hat was braided by hand and is very light, it has hardly any weight and is marked with the head size 57 and made in 1994. With a real Panama hat from Ecuador you protect yourself from the sun with style and class and also fashion-consciously! Measurement: Head size 57, edge width 6 cm, head height 10 cm, brand width 8 cm. The hat is in very good condition, no signs of wear. The decorated vintage Chanel bags...
Art Deco Pave Ball Comb
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Pave Ball Comb form the 1920's. Graduated half spheres are pave set with emerald and sapphire paste stones on top of a faux tortoiseshell comb...
French Art Nouveau Horn Rose Barette
Located in New York, NY
Rare French Art Nouveau Horn Rose Barette circa 1910, France. Completely hand carved and hand patinaed depicting a rose spray in bloom. Brass fittings. 1900's France. 3.75" x 2". DOM...
Massive Editorial Straw Sun Hat
Located in New York, NY
Massive handwoven openwork straw hat with large bow. This scale of this picture hat is incredibly striking and editorial. Insane and rumpled in a good way. Interior 21-22". Brim 8"...
Ornate Victorian Gold Filled and Faux Pearl Comb
Located in New York, NY
Ornate Victorian Gold Filled and Faux Pearl Comb from the late 19th Century. Large scale set with glass pearls and gilt swag chains hinged on a blond tortoiseshell comb. 1880's Franc...
Verheyen London Aurora Quilted Hood Hat with Tie Separate Piece
By Verheyen London
Located in London, GB
Verheyen London Aurora Quilted Hood Hat with Tie Separate Piece Handmade in Italy by expert artisans, this hood is made with 100% Nylon which is lightweight and water repellent. Thi...
Atelier 144 straw hat
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
ATELIER 144 - Very large straw hat ornamented with a bow. Atelier 144 brand. Condition: Very good condition Dimensions: Head circumference 60 cm SKU:CHP27