Chemena Kamali

Chemena Kamali’s return to Chloé in 2023 felt less like a new appointment and more like a homecoming. The German-born designer, who started at Chloé under Phoebe Philo, has always been one to embody the Maison’s spirit. After years of honing her craft, first as part of Clare Waight Keller’s creative team and later as Design Director at Saint Laurent under Anthony Vaccarello, Kamali’s understanding of Chloé runs deep. Now, as the Maison’s Creative Director, she’s putting her own stamp on its storied heritage.

Kamali, a Central Saint Martins graduate who was shaped by Louise Wilson’s exacting eye, channels her decades of experience into redefining Chloé’s brand codes. Her direction is rooted in an appreciation of the past, balanced by a distinctly modern approach. Her debut collection for Chloé, shown at Paris Fashion Week for Winter 2024, married flowing ruffles with retro-inspired leather capes and sharply tailored checked coats, striking a chord with critics and customers alike. It was classic Chloé—feminine, effortless, but never predictable.

She brings a nuanced sensibility to the Maison, one that celebrates its heritage without feeling constrained by it. Kamali has embraced Chloé’s quintessentially Parisian elegance but amplified it, making it relevant for today’s woman. From dressing Sienna Miller, Emma Mackey, and Zoe Saldana for the Met Gala, to the campaigns that echo the essence of Gaby Aghion’s vision, Kamali’s work feels both personal and organic.

“My heart has always been Chloé’s,” she says. It’s not just about clothes—it’s about recapturing the emotional connection that made Chloé a staple in women’s wardrobes decades ago. With Kamali at the helm, Chloé’s future looks like a continuation of its most authentic self, brought forward with a clear and assured hand.