80's Chloe Navy Crocodile and Leather Purse
View Similar Items
80's Chloe Navy Crocodile and Leather Purse
About the Item
Chloé
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, 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 2004. 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.
- Chanel Metallic Grey/Black Quilted Leather 226 Reissue 2.55 Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2A classic handbag comes with the promise of enduring appeal, boosting your style time and again. This designer bag is one such creation. It’s a fine purchase. Includes: Brand Dustba...Category
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Black Quilted Leather Maxi Classic Double Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Designer bags are ideal companions for ample occasions! Here we have a fashion-meets-functionality piece crafted with precision. It has been equipped with a well-sized interior that ...Category
2010s French Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Black Quilted Caviar Leather Maxi Classic Double Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Designer bags are ideal companions for ample occasions! Here we have a fashion-meets-functionality piece crafted with precision. It has been equipped with a well-sized interior that ...Category
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Vintage WOC red leather short strapBy ChanelLocated in PARIS, FRVintage Chanel Wallet on Chain model bag in bright red quilted leather, flap closed by press stud under the CC logo, black leather interior with...Category
1990s French Shoulder Bags
- Dolce and Gabbana Brown Mink Fur Shoulder BagBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis exotic Dolce & Gabbana shoulder bag is in excellent condition. The exterior features gorgeous brown leather trimmed with matching brown mink fur with antiqued bronze hardware an...Category
Early 2000s Hobo Bags
- Chanel Bag Classique Double Flap Leather Black 25 cmBy ChanelLocated in PARIS, FRChanel bag, Classic line, Double Flap model, 26 cm format, in quilted black leather, silver metal CC clasp, silver metal chain strap for shoulder or cross body wear, burgundy leather...Category
2010s French Shoulder Bags
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
14 Iconic Luxury Handbags and the Stories behind Them
When the name of a bag is as well-known as its brand, you know it's a classic.
The Best Ways to Dress for Your Astrological Sign
Makeup and astrology expert Linda Mason dispenses fashion advice for every zodiac sign. Does your wardrobe match your horoscope?