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 Nicole brown leather gold Happy key chain bag charm long necklace
By Chloé
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHLOE Nicole brown leather gold Happy key chain bag charm long necklace Reference: CNLE/A00472 Brand: Chloe Model: Nicole Material: Leather, Metal Color: Nude, Gold Pattern: Solid Cl...
05.00 Carat Round Cut Diamond Riviera Necklace in 14K White Gold
Located in Chicago, IL
This piece comes directly from the vault of Atlantic Diamond Company—a family-run fine jewelry house with nearly 50 years of history serving elite collectors, retailers, and dealers ...
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
0.12 Carat Diamonds in 14K Yellow Gold Cross Necklace
By ZIORO
Located in Paramus, NJ
Diamond Carat Weight: This graceful cross necklace features a total of 0.12 carats of diamonds. The diamonds, carefully selected for their brilliance, consist of 29 round-cut stones....
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Chanel Pearl Necklace with Gold CC Logo Accent
By Chanel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
An iconic and highly collectible design from the House of Chanel, this vintage pearl necklace features the timeless combination of luminous pearls and a gold-tone CC logo one of the ...
Dubini Ancient Capitoline-Wolf Bronze Coin Green Agate Tassel 18K Gold Necklace
By DUBINI
Located in London, GB
This DUBINI coin necklace from the 'Empires' collection features an authentic Roman Imperial coin minted circa 330-337 A.D. set in 18K yellow gold with green agate and gold beaded tassel. Coin Ø 19mm Chain length: 75 cm DEPICTED ON THE COIN She-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus with stars above on the obverse and helmeted bust of Roma on reverse. HISTORY A commemorative coin featuring the iconic she-wolf, affectionately nurturing the infant twins Romulus and Remus. This striking depiction honours the legendary foundation of Rome, a timeless tale intertwined with the identity of Constantine the Great as he sought to solidify his stature as the supreme ruler of the Empire. According to the revered myth, Romulus and Remus, children of the god Mars and the vestal Rhea Silvia, a descendant of Aeneas, were abandoned in the wild and suckled by a she-wolf. As they grew, the twins founded Rome, but a dispute over which hill to build upon led to Remus's tragic death. The enduring "wolf and twins" motif has graced countless Roman coins since the Republic era, symbolising Rome's origins and resilience. Considered one of the first ever commemorative coins, this piece by Constantine the Great was likely a strategic celebration of Rome. By honouring the city's legendary founders, Constantine emphasised the Roman Empire's continuity and its profound cultural heritage, despite the political shift to the new capital in Constantinople. The reverse of this coin features the helmeted profile of Roma, the divine patron and personification of the city. Depicted as a warrior, she dons a helmet and armour...
Agate, 18k Gold, Bronze
CHANEL Vintage Gold Mademoiselle Charm Station Necklace
By Chanel
Located in Bellevue, WA
DETAILS: Hallmark: Oval tag CHANEL, Made in France Gold Plated The necklace is in good condition showing minimal wear Measurements approx.: Length: 34 inches Comes with box IMPORTA...
Gold
Alex Jona Ice Grey Diamond Slice Charm Necklace in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold necklace suspending nine ice grey diamonds slice pendants weighing 2.74 carats in total. Alex Jona jewels sta...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Curb Chain Necklace 15 3/4" - 18k
Located in Greensboro, NC
Metal Content: 18k Yellow Gold Chain Style: Curb Necklace Style: Chain Fastening Type: Spring Ring Clasp Measurements Length: 15 3/4" Width: 1/16" (1.5mm) Weight: 2.8 Grams Stamp...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold Box Chain Ball Necklace, 24 " LONG
Located in New York, NY
18K Yellow Gold 1.1 mm wide Box Chain Ball Necklace 24 Inches Long 1.1 MM wide 24 Inches long Necklace Beautiful box chain necklace with ball stations, There are 12 ball as station...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage CHANEL Gold CC Floral Pendant Chain Necklace
By Chanel
Located in Bellevue, WA
DETAILS: Hallmark: CHANEL Made in France 1997 collection Gold Plated The necklace is in good condition showing minimal wear Measurements: chain length approx. 25" Comes with box IMP...
Gold
Yellow Gold Box Chain Necklace 18 1/4" - 14k
Located in Greensboro, NC
Metal Content: 14k Yellow Gold Chain Style: Box Necklace Style: Chain Fastening Type: Spring Ring Clasp Measurements Length: 18 1/4" Width: 1/16" (1.1mm) Front Width: 1/16" (1.1mm...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1928 18k Gold Argentine Automobile Pendant 14k Chain Necklace
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Materials: 14k Gold, 18k Gold Weight: Chain - 3.9 Grams, Pendant - 12.9 Grams Measurement: Pendant - 1 3/16" x 3/4" Chain - 23" Hallmarks: 18K ITEM DETAILS: This 18k gold commem...
18k Gold, 14k Gold
Cartier Spartacus 18k White Gold Link Necklace w/Paper 18"
By Cartier
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Brand: Cartier Collection: Spartacus Style: Link Necklace Material: 18k white gold Hallmarks: Cartier 750 FO6767 Design: Sculptural oval link chain with fluid silhouette Neckla...
18k Gold, White Gold
Chloe Chain Necklace
By Chloé
Located in London, GB
Chloe Chain Necklace Gold chain link necklace designed in chunky style. Detailed with 'Chloe' logo engraved closure. Size – One Size Condition – Excell...
Brass
CHLOE Gold & Pearl Collar Choker Necklace rt. $790
By Chloé
Located in New York, NY
Chloe Gold & Pearl Collar Choker Features one large pearl at center Made in: Italy Stamp: Chloe Made in Italy Closure: Lobster claw clasp Color: Gol...