By FashioningLife
Chloé
The German designer was named just a few days after Gabriela Hearst’s last show for the French brand at Paris Fashion Week.
Whilst her name might not sound familiar to many, Chemena Kamali’s tenure in the fashion industry is a distinguished one. Born in Germany in 1981, the designer, who is also a graduate from Central Saint Martins, was recently named as the new creative director of Richemont-owned, Chloé.
Transferring from Saint Laurent, where Kamali had been working as a women’s ready-to-wear designer since 2016, the German designer has a long history of working for Chloé. She began her career under Phoebe Philo’s reign and returned again as design director alongside Clare Weight Keller. Whilst reflecting on her return to the heritage house, Kamali expressed a deep love for it, “My heart has always been Chloé's. It has been since I stepped through its doors more than 20 years ago”.
Despite Gabriela Hearst’s immense positive impact on the French brand, such as making it the first luxury brand to achieve the B-Corp label, the succession will be facing some significant hardship. Although the Uruguayan designer managed to make more items more financially accessible, the brand struggled to sell higher-end luxury goods such as signature leather goods. Despite this, Kamali seemed to be the perfect choice for the job “Chemena’s vision, inspired by her love for the brand, will truly celebrate Chloé's unique DNA. Chemena is both the creative director of Chloé and the embodiment of the Chloé spirit” said Riccardo Bellini, president and chief executive of Chloé during a statement.
Kamali will present her first pre-collection for the brand in Paris in January 2024 and her AW24 collection at Paris Fashion Week in February 2024.
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