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.
Chloé Crystal-Embellished Drop Resin Earrings
By Chloé
Located in Arnhem, NL
Chloé crystal-embellished drop earrings made of synthetic resin in blue tones, with crystal-embellished tassels, and gold toned brass. The earrings close with secure post-back fasten...
Crystal
CHLOE multicolor Femininities Drop Hoop Earrings
By Chloé
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chloé Femininities dangle hoop earring female body shape in silver-tone and orange brass with blue and yellow enamel. Have been worn ...
18 Karat Gold and 2.10 Carat, Diamond Hoop with Detachable Gold and Diamond Drop
Located in New York, NY
These versatile 18 kt yellow gold earrings can be worn alone as a simple pave diamond huggie or for a more dramatic statement with the beautifully crafted gold and diamond drop. The ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
18 Karat White Gold, Diamond, Blue Sapphire and Tsavorite Earrings
By Cellini
Located in New York, NY
These Cellini Jewelers earrings feature a Kaleidoscope of white diamonds, and blue sapphires which are set within a green tsavorite concave shaped earring. Set in 18 karat white gold...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
Ammanii Hoop Earrings with Freshwater Pearls in Vermeil Gold
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautifully handcrafted hoop earrings made from vermeil gold, sterling silver base with 18k yellow gold plating, in our signature satin finish adorned with Freshwater Pearls and high...
Freshwater Pearl, Zircon, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Neon Hot Pink Burmese Jedi Spinel, South Sea Pearl Earrings in 14K Solid Gold
By Renate Exclusive
Located in Naples, NY
If you want something unique, and luxurious, only made of high-quality materials, and uniquely artisan beauty, then these earrings are just for you! The most beautiful hot pink spinel from Burma! The most desirable color for this stone is without any dark tone which is common for this stone. Absolutely breath-taking 100% natural spinel beads with vibrant vivid color and true gem clarity for this stone! Very very precious! Earrings total length: 2 inches Materials: Untreated no heat, neon Hot Pink Burmese Jedi Spinel...
South Sea Pearl, Spinel, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Statement Interlocked Hoop Earrings with Hieroglyphic Amulets Vermeil Gold
By Ammanii
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Newest Addition to Ammanii's Malikat = Queens Collections. Hand crafted, interconnected hoop earrings with amulets inscribed with hieroglyphic signs to give you the power of life, he...
Chrysophrase, Lapis Lazuli, Freshwater Pearl, Zircon, Vermeil
Belfiore Jewelry 3.12ct Yellow Gold Diamond Hoop Earrings
By Belfiore Jewelry
Located in Great Neck, NY
Diamond hoops set in 14K yellow gold. The hoops are set inside and out and it measures 3/4 of an inch in diameter. The total carat weight is 3.12. The color of the stones are G-H, th...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Emerald-cut 12ct Lab Blue Sapphire and Freshwater Pearl Earrings
By Bijoux Num
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Bijoux Num 12ct Emerald-cut Lab Blue Sapphire & Freshwater Pearl Earrings. The earrings feature 2 beautiful emerald-cut 12ct lab-grown blue sapphire (6ct each stone) a...
Freshwater Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970's Brass and Amber Lucite Sculptural Dangle Earrings
Located in North Miami, FL
Different shapes connect between the brass and the tortoise lucite to make these sculptural vintage pierced earrings a noted form on your ears...
Brass
Vintage EDOUARD RAMBAUD Turquoise Chain Drop Earrings
By Edouard Rambaud
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage EDOUARD RAMBAUD Turquoise Chain Drop Earrings Features: - 100% Authentic EDOUARD RAMBAUD. - Faux turquoise stones with chain detailing. - Clip back earrings. - Gold tone har...
Vintage KENZO PARIS Lucite Leaves Dangling Earrings
By Kenzo Paris
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage KENZO PARIS Lucite Leaves Dangling Earrings Features: - 100% Authentic KENZO PARIS. - Yellow lucite leaves dangling earrings. - Gold tone hardware. - Signed KENZO. - Clipbac...
Jean-Paul Gaultier Paris Runway 2013 Cursive Signature Earrings
By Jean Paul Gaultier
Located in Atlanta, GA
These stunning Jean Paul Gaultier Paris pierced earrings are from the Spring 2013 ready-to-wear runway collection. They feature a silver plate hoop shape with "Jean-Paul Gaultier" cu...
Silver Plate
Contemporary Crystal Hoop Fringe Earrings 2000s
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A pair of preloved contemporary Crystal Hoop Fringe Earrings. From the sparkling glamour of Hollywood's golden age to the bold, oversized silhouettes of the 1980s and the sculptural ...
Chloe double sided pearl logo earrings 2010s
By Chloé
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A wonderfully demure, edgy pair of Chloe pearl earrings. Maison Chloé is world-famous for luxurious, free spirited, always feminine, unique couture designs...
CHLOE burgundy leather & ROSE QUARTZ JEMMA Earrings
By Chloé
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chloé's Jemma drop earrings will add a chic bohemian touch to your look. Made from hand-cut rose quartz with burgundy leather trims. They close with a pin fastening. H...
Sterling Silver