French fashion house Chloé has appointed Chemena Kamali to the role of creative director, replacing Gabriela Hearst who announced her departure in July.
SEE ALSO: Chloé creative director Gabriela Hearst departs
Born in Germany, Kamali has over two decades of design experience in luxury fashion, including a long stint with the Paris-based Chloé. She began her career at the maison as part of Phoebe Philo’s team and later rejoined as design director to Clare Waight-Keller in 2013. Most recently, she was women’s ready-to-wear design director for Anthony Vaccarello at Saint Laurent, a role she held since 2016, before returning to Chloé.
“I am proud to welcome Chemena Kamali to Chloé,” said Riccardo Bellini, president and CEO of 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.”
Kamali will present her first pre-collection for Richemont-owned Chloé in Paris in January 2024, followed by her Fall/Winter 2024 collection during Paris Fashion Week in February next year.
“My heart has always been Chloé’s. It has been since I stepped through its doors more than 20 years ago,” said Kamali.
“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.”
In its most recent trading update, Swiss parent company Richemont posted a 19 percent growth in sales for the quarter ended June 2023, up from a 12 percent increase of the prior-year period, with all channels and regions excluding the Americas generating higher sales than the previous period.
The company’s fashion vertical, wherein Chloé sits, generated growth of 6 percent, it said.