It was only a matter of time until the mystique of the fashion brand that was founded seventy years ago by Gaby Aghion, i.e. Chloé, was going to get a dedicated volume as part of Thames & Hudson’s iconic The Catwalk Collection – a well-curated series dedicated to documenting the most spectacular outfits, looks and accessories as well as contextualising information about celebrated fashion designers and their muses.
Having pioneered the concept of luxury prêt-à-porter like few other, Chloé’s projections of effortless femininity are comprehensively captured in all their exorbitant haute bohemian glory, which is timely as the house celebrated its seventieth year in 2022.
With eye candy galore, it is delightful to follow the evolution of Chloé, which has never not been resolutely contemporary not merely by incorporating styles of its times but leaving its indelible mark on popular culture at large.
Embedded in a depiction of the history of Chloé are the true stars of the tome, i.e. the collections, which are accompanied by biographies of the respective designers, ranging from the above-mentioned Gaby Aghion via Karl Lagerfeld to Stella McCartney.
Authored by Suzy Menkes, who worked as the international editor of Vogue until 2020, the carefully curated book is rounded out by a reference section, culminating in an extensive index.
Catwalk’s treatment of Chloé is not unlike the brand itself: High-end, subtly glamourous and sophisticated
A transition to the next title could not be smoother as Karl Lagerfeld became the lead designer of Chloé in 1964, before he eventually landed at Chanel.
Karl Lagerfeld Unseen: The Chanel Years is quintessentially a coffee table book and an artistic one at that as not only the photography and curation of content is of the highest calibre, but it proves also to be one of the better tomes on Chanel: Not merely does it shed light on Chanel as a brand but a lifestyle as it allows unrivalled insights by providing behind the scenes footage, the raw energy of which is palpable.
Within the first few pages one is confronted with the fact that Lagerfeld was fortunate enough to define his vision with the help of models like Claudia Schiffer, Linda Evangelista, Kate Moss, and Naomi Campbell, so it should not be further wondrous that the book not merely depicts an important period of Lagerfeld’s oeuvre but the spirit of the 1990s at large.
Framed by essays and anecdotes penned by friends and colleagues, a sense of authenticity is omnipresent, which enhances the book significantly as it makes Lagerfeld appear accessible.
If you feel inclined to study the greats of the world of couture, you are in for a treat with the abundant inspiration radiating from Thames & Hudson’s ( https://thamesandhudson.com.au ) exquisite current offerings.
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Words by AW.
Photos courtesy of Thames & Hudson.