October 9, 2023 |
At Chloé, a changing of the guard.
Shortly following Gabriela Hearst’s final collection for the Parisian house, it has been announced that Chemena Kamali is Chloé’s new creative director.
The German-born designer’s 20 years in the industry has largely been spent at the maison. A graduate of Central Saint Martins’ prestigious Masters programme, where she was taught by the formidable Louise Wilson, Kamali began her career working at the house under Phoebe Philo, and returned as Chloé’s design director in 2013 to work with Clare Waight Kellar. Kamali’s most recent position was at Saint Laurent, where she was design director under Anthony Vaccarello.
“My heart has always been Chloé’s,’ said Kamali. “It has been since I stepped through its doors more than 20 years ago. Returning feels natural and very personal. I am extremely honoured to be taking on this role and to be building on the vision that Gaby Aghion and Karl Lagerfeld defined early in the maison’s history. I hope to capture the emotional connection and spirit of Chloé for today.”
The news of Kamali’s appointment closely follows the announcement that Seán McGirr would succeed Sarah Burton as Alexander McQueen’s creative director. Like Kamali, McGirr was head hunted from an in-house position, when he worked as JW Anderson’s menswear director.
Kamali will present her first pre-collection in January, and will stage her AW24 collection during Paris Fashion Week in February.
Portrait by David Sims.
