Gabriela Hearst Says She’s Leaving Khloe – WWD

Paris — This is shaping up to be an eventful downfall for Chloe.

Gabriela Hearst is set to exit the French fashion house after a three-year stint during which the brand grew into a stable, purpose-built company — and made solid revenue gains, sources told WWD.

Hearst will show his final collection for spring 2024 during Paris Fashion Week this fall. Sources described the split as amicable, with Hearst wanting to focus on her fast-growing Signature brand and other projects.

Meanwhile, in a last-ditch effort for the brand, Hearst lined up a collaboration between Kloss and actress Angelina Jolie, who recently expressed her desire to launch a new fashion house in what was announced as a „creative partnership.”

With her impressive eco credentials and long-standing affection for the Chloé brand, Hearst appears to be an ideal designer for the Richemont-owned house, which has transitioned to a purpose-driven business model since the arrival of new Chloé CEO Riccardo Bellini in 2019. Maison Margiela.

The Uruguayan designer upped Khloé’s shoe game by designing the low-impact Nama sneaker and introducing recycled and recycled fabrics into his ready-to-wear collection.

In October 2021, Chloé became the first European luxury maison to receive B Corp status, a major step in its long journey to become a fully purpose-driven, planet-friendly, community-oriented and accountable company.

But it understood that balancing the demands of two growing fashion businesses based in Paris and New York was challenging.

The succession plan at Chloé was not immediately known, and principals at the brand could not immediately be reached for comment.

In a statement on Monday, Chloé said Hearst had designed a capsule collection of women’s ready-to-wear with Jolie, who launched her new brand within a month, and recently invited tailors to apply to join its New York atelier.

„An exercise in modern femininity, the capsule collection celebrates authentic girl-girl interactions,” said Solo.

A filmmaker, humanitarian and activist, Jolie initially described her latest venture as a unique fashion label in which consumers play the role of designers, inviting them to collaborate with tailors, pattern makers and artisans to create unique fashion statements.

However, his introductory line reflects his own taste. Khloé said the capsule collection will focus on evening wear looks and a timeless aesthetic inspired by timeless pieces from Jolie’s own wardrobe, with fluid silhouettes and tactile details.

The „Maleficent” star often wears Versace for red carpet looks, but has also worn looks from Ralph & Russo, Ralph Lauren, Elie Saab and Valentino over the years. She also appeared in campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Saint John and Guerlain.

Atelier Jolie is committed to proposing fashions that are sustainably conceptualized, respect creative communities and are built on the concept of self-discovery.

A capsule collection with Chloé will include a higher percentage of low-impact items than previous collections from the house. Parts of the collection will showcase the work of artisans from fair trade organizations and spotlight women-led social enterprises.

“From the moment I heard about Angelina’s vision for Atelier Jolie, I believed in it. „It’s a way to uplift others through the beauty of fashion and a deep respect for the environment,” Hurst said.

“It is an honor for me to have Khloé as Atelier Jolie’s first collaborator, as both have high ideals for the advancement of our breed. That’s why I love both Angelina and Chloe so deeply,” he added.

Jolie noted that very few luxury brands are B Corp certified, two months after the French house published its first environmental impact statement in October 2021.

“It’s a privilege to design alongside Gabriela Hearst, and I hope all women feel comfortable and beautiful in this capsule collection. My proceeds from this collaboration will be invested in establishing apprenticeships for tailors and artisans at Atelier Jolie,” he added.

Chloé did not provide a price range or release date for the collection.

Jolie’s decision to partner with Hearst, a designer known for quiet luxury staples including $3,000 upcycled cashmere ponchos and the $2,800 Nina handbag favored by Meghan Markle, may come as a surprise, given her intention to create a brand with a humanitarian twist. Inclusive curved.

„We hope to create a community of creativity and inspiration, regardless of socio-economic background,” he said in a mission statement posted on atelierjolie.com on May 17.

“We will highlight the people who play a role in each creation. We will bring together a diverse group of skilled, decent positions, including apprenticeships for refugees and other skilled, undervalued groups. „As we work with global artisans and creators, we help them share the richness of their cultural heritage and support the growth of their own businesses,” he added.

However, Hearst has been a driving force behind efforts to make luxury fashion more sustainable, phasing out materials like cotton in favor of low-impact linen, and working with women-led collaboratives like the nonprofit Manos del Uruguay.

Last February, Hearst and Bellini said during a joint interview that the Paris-based house’s revenue had jumped 60 percent in two years, with the designer taking the creative lead, selling items that are briskly recycled denim and linen woody tote bags — and all with a small environmental footprint. are leaving

Hearst comes to Chloé with nearly 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, starting with her first New York City fashion business Candela, a bohemian contemporary brand launched in 2004, and her eponymous luxury house based on the principles of timelessness and quality in 2015. and sustainability.

She was named American Woman Fashion Designer at the 2020 CFDA Fashion Awards.

– With contributions by Joel Diederich