Changes At CHLOÉ: Parisian Fashion House Gets New Creative Director
By Frannie Acciardo, Fashion Writer
From Balenciaga, to Louis Vuitton and now Chloé, we can all be jealous of Natacha Ramsay-Levi’s resumé. As of March, the former Louis Vuitton senior director holds the title of Creative Director at the luxury Parisian fashion house that is Chloé. Ramsay-Levi succeeded Clare Waight Keller, another successful name in fashion who has moved on to Givenchy as their first woman Artistic Director. Not surprising for It girls with such successful careers, both Ramsay-Levi and Waight Keller were recognized for their premiere season of fashion week at their perspective brands.
Ramsay-Levi’s runway debut for Chloé was highly anticipated as her born-and-raised Parisian girl vibes seem to be the perfect match for Chloé’s reputation as a label. Observers anticipated how the transition from Louis Vuitton would mesh with the bohemian vibes that Clare Waight Keller spent years perfecting at Chloé, and it’s safe to say her collection on the runway did not disappoint. In fact, Ramsay-Levi received beaucoup de praise for her earthy yet feminine, flowing floral fashions. The Spring/Summer 2018 Chloé collection exposed a bit of Louis Vuitton’s classical aesthetic and clearly paired well with the carefree notes that makes Chloé such an industry favorite. Chloé girls can look out for pieces mixing French-girl simplicity with Western vibes, like prairie dresses and ankle boots.
Waight Keller turned to the archives of Givenchy and chose two elements as the foundation of the Spring/Summer line: a strong shoulder, and graphic prints. However, the decision to turn to antecedent styles suggested the designer may need a bit more time to truly match the standards set by her predecessor Riccardo Tisci, who spent the last 12 years at Givenchy transforming the label with a solely forward-focus. Being the first woman leading the brand, it comes as no surprise that looks shifted from grungier street-style silhouettes to more feminine styles, yet a little more risk would be welcomed in the future. Nevertheless, Waight Keller’s talent comforts Givenchy lovers and her tasteful ode to Givenchy’s roots left the crowd appreciative and eager for future seasons.