WHAT’S distinct about Chloé is that her world doesn’t fluctuate – or put better by the brand’s creative director, Chemena Kamali: “it is an eternal state of mind guided by instinct and optimism”.
The Chloé girl is free, feminine and very sensual. So for her sophomore collection for the French House, the designer wanted to take these three intrinsic characteristics and see how they conveyed in the heat of summer; especially defining it as the time in the year when you pause, recharge and explore who you have become.
Aptly titled the Freedom Collection, the angelic mood of boho-chic swept across Paris in the midst of torrential rain. Fabrics were of course designed to look sun-faded and worn out; lace guipures took centre stage across blouses, dresses and silk charmeuses to elevate the intricacy of the floating silhouettes; and prints made an entrance having been reworked from an original hand painted 1977 artwork that now saw roses and peonies blossom for SS25.
Lingerie poked through and gently contrasted the sartorial tailoring that Chemena has added to the Chloé wardrobe for the summer.
Mixing sturdier single-breasted jackets with chiffon matching trousers, oversized leather sleeveless gilets, that mirrored fisherman’s utility vest with cotton bloomers, and pairing a new suede jacket that is based on the flou blouse, finished with gathered, pleated sleeves, with transparent long sleeves; the woman of the season seems to be ready for both dinner and a dance under the stars.
There’s a deep appreciation for the most strip backed version of femininity, one that is proud to be dainty, one that lacks restriction and one that feels effortless in the most playful manner. Chemena hoped to bring a “spontaneous joy to this collection” and she sure did.
Set a reminder to dust off your jelly shoes, Chemena’s Chloé is bringing back playtime!
by Imogen Clark