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 Silver Toned Koala Cuff Bracelet
By Chloé
Located in Nice, FR
CHLOE antiqued silver toned cuff bracelet featuring a gorgeous openwork design with trees and koalas. Marked CHLOE on the cuff. Secure clasp closure. Indicative measurements : inn...
Barry Kieselstein Cord 2004 Sterling Silver & 14k Gold Frog Flower Cuff Bracelet
Located in Honolulu, HI
Barry Kieselstein Cord Cuff Bracelet in sterling silver and14k yellow gold. The bracelet features a 3-D frog in between 2 3-D flowers with 14k yellow gold petals. Hallmarked "Barry Kieselstein Cord" and stamped "2004," "925," "14K," "Thailand," on the inside. This cuff bangle measures 29 mm wide, 58 mm long and weighs 78.5 grams. This is a pre-owned Barry Kieselstein Cord bracelet...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
White Diamond Teeth Cuff Memento Mori Open Bangle Bracelet J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Teeth Cuff Bracelet White Diamond Black Enamel 14k Gold Plated Memento Mori Open Bangle Designer: J DAUPHIN The Teeth Cuff is a rigid open band in 14k gold plated brass, the band f...
White Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
Light Blue Enamel Cuff Bracelet Blue Sapphire Diamond Divine Child
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Natural Blue Sapphire Diamond Divine Child Cuff Blue Enamel 14k Gold Plated Designer: J Dauphin The Divine Child Cuff Bracelet is a sculptural statement piece handcrafted in 14k gol...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel
Diamond Bracelet Cuff Antique Diamond Setting Prongs Silver Open Bangle
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Diamond Cuff Bracelet Victorian Prong Setting Gold Plated Silver Detail Thin Bangle Designer: J DAUPHIN The Diamond Cuff is a thin rigid open band in gold plated brass with silver ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
Black Diamond Cuff Brutalist Stud Barcelet Blue Enamel Gold Plated J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black Diamond Cuff Brutalist Stud Bracelet Midnight Blue Enamel 14k Gold Plated Eight Pointed Star Designer: J DAUPHIN The Star Stud Cuff is a rigid open band in 14k gold plated ...
Black Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
Diamond Star Cuff Bracelet Black Enamel Brutalist 14k Gold Plated
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Diamond Star Stud Cuff Bracelet Black Enamel Open Bangle 14k Gold Plated Brass Size: Small/ Medium 55 mm diameter Designer: J DAUPHIN The Star Stud Cuff is a rigid open band in ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel, Brass
$9,995
W 0.37 in Dm 2.29 in L 3.04 in
GIA Natural Jadeite Jade Pale Green & Brown Hinged Bangle 14K Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
GIA Natural Jadeite Jade Pale Green & Brown Hinged Bangle 14K Gold. Comes with GIA report #2235035266. A magnificent jade bangle with beautifully engraved hinge and clasp. The Jade has a very pleasant pale green with a brownish patch that creates a gorgeous contrast with the yellow gold hinge & clasp. The jade is translucent and has a beautiful natural look. The 14k yellow gold hinge and clasp are hand-engraved in botanical floral design. The clasp is equipped with a safety chain for added security. The inside diameter of the bangle is 58mm and would fit wrist size up to 53 mm. The bracelet is 9.37mm thick. The total weight is 55.9 grams. This is a vintage pre-owned Jade bangle in very good condition. Please ask any questions before bidding, serious buyers only please. Bracelet Specification: Style: Hinged jade Bangle...
Jade, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Black Enamel Bangle Bracelet Emerald Diamond J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
J Dauphin Emerald Heart Bangle 14k Gold-Plated Black Enamel Size Small/ Medium A sculptural 14k gold-plated brass hinged bangle featuring a central heart-shaped natural emerald pai...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
Emerald Cuff Bracelet Emerald Clover Black Enamel Gold Plated J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Luck Emerald Cuff Bracelet Emerald Clover Black Enamel Gold Plated Silver Designer: J Dauphin The Emerald Clover Bracelet is a structural statement piece handcrafted in 14k gold-pla...
Emerald, Gold Plate, Enamel
Black Diamond Cuff Bracelet 14k Gold Plated Black Enamel
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Black Diamond Cuff Bracelet 14k Gold Plated Black Enamel Designer: J DAUPHIN This black enamel diamond cuff bracelet by J DAUPHIN is crafted in 14k gold-plated brass and structured...
Black Diamond, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel
Ruby Snake Bracelet Serpent Cuff Emerald Victorian Style J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ruby Head Snake Bracelet Serpent Cuff Emerald Eyes Victorian Style J Dauphin 14k Gold Plated Designer: J Dauphin This Bracelet can be custom made in your size. Pls advice your size ...
Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
Dove Cuff Bracelet Bleeding Heart Ruby Gold Plated Brass Silver
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Natural Ruby Dove Cuff Bracelet Gold Plated Brass and Sterling Silver Designer J DAUPHIN The Billet of Myself Cuff is a symbolic sculptural piece by J DAUPHIN featuring a pair of do...
Ruby, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver, Brass
Chloé Cuff Bracelet
By Chloé
Located in Nice, FR
CHLOE gold toned cuff bracelet featuring a triangular resin cabochon with inclusions. Embossed CHLOE Made in Italy. Indicated size : S/M. Indicative measurements : inner width app...
CHLOE Gold Tone Double Horse Head Bangle Bracelet
By Chloé
Located in Nice, FR
CHLOE gold tone bangle bracelet featuring two horse heads. Embossed CHLOE. Indicative measurements : inner max. measurements approx. 6.5 cm x 6 cm (2...
Gilt Metal
Chloe Vintage Multicolored Glass Cabochons Dangling Earrings
By Chloé
Located in Nice, FR
CHLOE vintage dangling earrings (clip-on) featuring a textured bi-tone round top (gold and silver tone) and charms embellished with multicolored (green/r...
Chloe Gold Frankie Arm Cuff sz M/L RT. $441
By Chloé
Located in New York, NY
Chloe Gold Frankie Arm Cuff Features features little dotted cylinders throughout Made In: Italy Color: Goldtone Materials: Metal Closure: Hinge Stamp: Chloe Made in Italy M/L ...