By Tali Minor
Gabriela Hearst, Chloé’s Creative Director. Photographed by Michael Avedon.
You’ve probably spent some good scrolling time reviewing Chloé’s A/W collection—a rich tapestry of cozy, bohemian, leather and knit-heavy looks—which was shown in Paris last week. Today, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, we invite you to take a deeper dive into the making of this collection, and the formidable creative talent behind it—Gabriela Hearst.
Chloé AW 21 Runway, Look 4.
The A/W collection was presented on what would have been the 100th birthday of Chloé founder Gaby Aghion, a thoughtful nod to a designer who reinterpreted “femininity” in a way that has remained at the house’s core. Hearst, a New York-based Uruguayan designer whose eponymous line has a well-documented cult following, used her new platform at Chloé to send out many a message. First and foremost, sustainability isn’t something to attain in five years—it’s happening right now, noting that a shift to lower-impact raw materials made this collection four times more sustainable compared to last year.
Chloé AW 21 Runway, Detailed Look 17.
And let’s talk about the clothes: Daywear spans from trench coats and tailored jackets that tie at the side to dresses in leather and wool gauze, while a strong knitwear category is defined by ultra-soft, recycled cashmeres and multi-color stripes that naturally nod to Hearst’s Uruguayan roots. There’s also a nod to this DNA through fringed and striped dresses and the ‘puffcho,’ an innovative poncho integrated with a puffer.
Hearst puts a new spin on the beloved Edith bag, seen here.
And what would Chloé be without its scalloped edge? Here, it appears as top-stitching on georgette blouses; in petals of leather or denim patchwork; as a quilting technique and along the cuffs of knitwear. Hearst, whose Nina bag has a perennial waitlist, introduces the Juana bag in scalloped quilting and patchwork leather, as well as handknitted leather totes embellished with a recycled wooden C knitted into the handle. She’s also re-issued the Edith bag (which was the first luxury bag the designer owned) in recycled cashmere or with recycled jacquard and is offered as a mini version, a tote and a doctor’s bag.
Chloé AW 21 Runway, Detailed Look 21.
Though the carbon footprint of this collection may be tiny, it’s clear Gabriela Hearst has filled some very big shoes.
Swipe through to see more of our favorite runway looks.
