After nearly six years as creative director at Chloé, it has been confirmed that Clare Waight Keller will step down from her role at the luxury label at the end of March.
In a press release issued by the brand, it was announced that Waight Keller would be leaving under ‘mutual agreement.’ It is speculated that the designer decided not to renew her contract with the fashion house in order move back to London to be with her family.
The British designer was named as creative director of the French fashion house in May 2011 and has since written ‘a new chapter’ in the history of Chloé, as the brand stated in the press release, highlighting how ‘the fashion label has enjoyed remarkable growth and worldwide expansion’ since Clare took the reigns.
Waight Keller spoke of her departure through an Instagram post, saying ‘Winter 17 the final bow – #thankyou to everyone @chloe for an amazing six years. It’s been an extraordinary journey at this beautiful Maison and one I’m very proud of #merci to all of you. Clare x’
The designer’s last collection for the brand will be for the Autumn/Winter 2017/18 season, with the runway show to be held on 2nd March in Paris. Her last day of work will be on the 31st March.
Rumours have been circulating that Natacha Ramsay-Levi, currently a senior designer at Louis Vuitton, will be the one to succeed Waight Keller. However, as yet there has been no official confirmation from Chloe.
Below, we take a look back at some of our favourite shows in her time at the helm.
SPRING/SUMMER 2012
All eyes were on Waight Keller as she showed her first collection for the luxury label. She didn’t stray too far from the look of her predecessor, Hannah MacGibbon, with her freshman outing. However, there were touches reminiscent of Karl Lagerfeld’s time at Chloé with floral embroideries and flowing shorts. The collection was pretty and ‘fluidity, femininity, but boyish’ were the buzzwords.
SPRING/SUMMER 2013
Waight Keller had to tackle Chloé’s 60th anniversary during only her third season at the fashion house. However, she answered this challenge by presenting her most accomplished collection to date. She perfectly showcased the brand’s state of mind and referenced something that Chloé’s founder, Gaby Aghion, had said to her that struck a chord; ‘I never explain anything. I live my life, and I live the life I love.’
AUTUMN/WINTER 2013
For this season, Waight Keller showed a tougher girl than would have previously been expected for Chloé, and in doing so she really started to put her own stamp on the label’s look. She said of the show, ‘it’s essentially about girls creating independence through the way they dress.’
SPRING/SUMMER 2014
This collection harked back to the brand’s French roots, with a more overtly feminine feel and that classic French style. The muse was more sensual than before and the boyish toughness was softened although it did not disappear completely.
AUTUMN/WINTER 2015
This collection had widespread appeal and showed how Waight Keller’s confidence had increased when handling collections for the Chloé girl. The show had folksy elements yet had a tough edge that showed a strength and maturity.
AUTUMN/WINTER 2016
The inspiration for this collection was Anne-France Dautheville, a Frenchwoman who rode a motorbike through Europe and the Middle East in the ‘70s. Through this choice of muse, Waight Keller channelled the free-spirited festival girl and wild rebel biker chick to showcase how Chloé was a top luxury brand with widespread appeal.
By Natalie Hanson
