French brand Chloé appoints Chemena Kamali as creative director

French luxury fashion brand Chloé has today named Chemena Kamali, a German-born designer with more than two decades of experience in the fashion industry, as the new creative director. The appointment is significant for both Kamali and the brand as it marks a meaningful return for the accomplished designer.

Kamali was born in Germany in 1981 and later earned a Master of Arts in Fashion from Central Saint Martin’s University of the Arts in London. She graduated with distinction in 2007 and has since accrued a wealth of experience in the fashion industry. Kamali initially joined Chloé as part of Phoebe Philo's team and returned later as design director to Clare Waight Keller in 2013. Most recently, she served as women’s ready to wear design director for Anthony Vaccarello at Saint Laurent.

Kamali will present her initial pre-collection in Paris in January 2024, followed by her Fall-Winter 2024 collection during Paris Fashion Week the subsequent month, the brand said in a media release.

“I am proud to welcome Chemena Kamali to Chloé. Her extraordinary creative talent, extensive experience and unique connection with the brand’s legacy and values make her a natural choice for the maison. Chemena’s vision, inspired by her love for the brand, will truly celebrate Chloé’s unique DNA. Chemena is both the creative director of Chloé and the embodiment of the Chloé spirit. I am excited to see her vision come to life,” said Riccardo Bellini, president & CEO of Chloé.

“My heart has always been Chloé’s. It has been since I stepped through its doors more than 20 years ago. Returning feels natural and very personal. I am extremely honoured to be taking on this role and to be building on the vision that Gaby Aghion and Karl Lagerfeld defined early in the Maison’s history. I hope to capture the emotional connection and spirit of Chloé for today. I am very grateful to Riccardo Bellini, Philippe Fortunato and Johann Rupert for this opportunity and their trust,” said Kamali, the new creative director of Chloé.

“Chloé is an important and much-loved part of Richemont. Chemena Kamali’s return is an exciting new chapter for the Maison given her passion for the brand’s heritage and her strong connection to Chloé,” said Philippe Fortunato, CEO of fashion and accessories division at Richemont.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)