November 7, 2012 |
Chloé is 60! This year! So what will they do to celebrate such a momentous occasion? Why, hold an exhibition, of course! And what will we do to celebrate? Regale you with some fabulous Chloé facts, such as Chloé is French and was founded by Gaby Aghion in 1952. Sixty years ago. More fascinating facts like this to follow.
* Chloé, the name, is of Greek origin and means “green shoot”. It comes from “Khloe” (no, the k spelling has nothing to do with a Kardashian; a Kardashian is not very Chloé), originally used in the classical period to symbolise the fertility goddess Demeter in her blooming and verdant glory. It was chosen as the name of the house because of its warm, feminine appeal.
* Aghion was born in Alexandria, Egypt. She was known as a dark beauty and often described as a bohemian spirit.
* The term “luxury prêt-à-porter” was coined by Aghion as a way of describing her clothes, which married the concept of couture with an increased post-war demand for stylish and easy clothing. You could buy her dresses straight off the hanger. No waiting time. This was new and modern. It revolutionised the concept of designer clothing as we know it.
* The first Chloé catwalk show was staged at the Café de Flore in 1956. The clothes were designed for outdoor living, so the show was staged outdoors, too. We like to think of this as making a point.
* Chloé once did a line of T-shirts printed with pineapples, which it just so happens, is being re-released to celebrate this birthday. We like to think that it was these T-shirts, and not Palm Springs and fruity cocktail sticks, that inspired the pineapple-themed décor at the new eatery Shrimpy’s. Sarah Jessica Parker also wore what we shall refer to as the “horsey collection” (the one with the horses printed on trouser legs) on Sex and the City. Fact!
* They are also re-releasing the Violin dress from 1983, a cape and leather shorts outfit from 2009, and 2005’s Paddington bag, which may or may not be named after Paddington bear, or even Paddington Station.
* The most exciting re-release, though, might be the Embrun dress of 1960. It was designed by Aghion herself. Embrun means sea spray. This dress is like the jewel in the crown (or something).
Chloé. Attitudes, Sep 29-Nov 18; Palais de Tokyo, Paris
by Natalie Dembinska
