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
Interchangeable Earrings in Sterling with Blue Topaz Baguettes
By Martha Seely
Located in Carlisle, MA
The Interchangeable Earring Ensembles are the foundation of the Lyra Collection. Lightweight and playful, this ensemble consists of the huggie ...
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Sterling Silver
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
Guy Laroche Aquamarine Designer 18 Karat Huggie Earrings
By Guy Laroche
Located in Honolulu, HI
French Designer Guy Laroche Aquamarine huggie earrings in 18k white gold. These earrings have a unique pass through design. The beautifully designed earrings features four (4) rectangular cut blue Aquamarine gemstones set in a channel that passes through a rectangle openning. A total of eight (8) Aquamarine gems are set on these earrings, totaling approximately 1.60 carats. The Aquamarines have a Beautiful aqua blue color. The earrings are masterfully crafted in 18k white gold and has a high polished finish. These earrings have post backs for pierced ears and friction push back backing. The earrings measure approximately 14.80 mm high x 5.75 mm wide. Hallmarked "Guy Laroche" and stamped "18k". Total weight 5.00 grams. These are new old stock earrings...
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, White Gold
4.14 Carat Diamond Earring Handcrafted in 18 Karat Gold with Intricate Enamel
By Jay Rawat
Located in Jaipur, IN
A pair of beautiful earrings with 4 Uncut Diamonds weighing 4.14 carats handcrafted in 18K yellow gold with intricate enamel work at the back of the earring. The Diamonds are called "Polki Diamonds" in Hindi which means these flat uncut Rose Cut diamonds. The use of these Polki can be seen in the jewelry from the Mughal era as well. The Diamonds are set with "Kundan" which is pure gold. The art of setting the stones in the jewellery can also be seen in old Indian jewelry...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Rough Morganite Pink Opal Diamond Drop Dangle Earrings
By Joon Han
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind dangle earrings of rough pink morganites and cabochon pink opal drops with natural black matrix, accented by white diamonds. Handcrafted in 18 karat yellow gold. These stunning pink and black earrings make a glamorous statement when worn. The unique matrix of the pink opals gives it a sophisticated flair and the natural rough morganites...
Diamond, Morganite, Multi-gemstone, Opal, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yello...
Egyptian 18 Carat Yellow Gold Goddess Isis Wing Earrings
Located in London, GB
These wings are inspired by the Goddess Isis who was worshiped in Ancient Egypt for being the ideal mother and wife alongside being the patroness of natur...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Carved Pink Opal Sapphire Tourmaline Drop Dangle Earrings
By Joon Han
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind carved pink opal, sapphire and tourmaline drop dangle earrings, handcrafted in 18 karat yellow gold. 2.44 inches or 62 mm length. These...
Opal, Sapphire, Tourmaline, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
18 Karat Rose Gold Tanzanite Emerald Sapphire Diamond Drop Dangle Earrings
By Joon Han
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind dangle earrings of fancy shaped tanzanite slices are topped with oval cabochon tanzanites, with faceted emeralds and blue sapphires, and diamond accents. Handcrafted in 18 karat rose gold. These luxurious blue and green earrings...
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Tanzanite, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 18...
18 Karat Yellow Gold Rose Cut Aquamarine Multi Color Spinel Drop Dangle Earrings
By Joon Han
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind dangle earrings of rose cut aquamarines and multi colored spinels, handcrafted in 18 karat yellow gold. These pretty in blue aquamar...
Aquamarine, Multi-gemstone, Spinel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Sapphire Chrysoberyl Blue Dumortierite Quartz Drop Earrings
By Joon Han
Located in New York, NY
Earrings of blue and green sapphires and chrysoberyl cluster tops with blue dumortierite quartz cabochon drops, handcrafted in 18 Karat yellow gold. ...
Chrysoberyl, Multi-gemstone, Quartz, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Rubellite Carved Bicolor Tourmaline Diamond Dangle Earrings
By Joon Han
Located in New York, NY
Carved bicolor tourmaline leaves, rubellite tourmalines and diamond earrings, handcrafted in 18 karat yellow gold. These exq...
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Rubelite, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k ...
Ralph Masri 1919 Diamond Yellow Sapphire Half Moon Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Unique 18kt yellow gold earrings from Ralph Masri's '1919' Bauhaus-inspired collection, set with diamonds (1.17cts) and yellow sapphires (1.36cts).
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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