PARIS – Fashion rumors have finally been confirmed: Gabriela Hearst is stepping down as creative director of Maison Chloé after a brief but impactful three-year tenure. The first designer with multicultural roots (Uruguay and USA) to lead a Paris fashion house, Hearst has been a transformative force at Chloé since her appointment in December 2020.
Here are some highlights from the final day of Thursday’s fall couture shows, which will also feature Fendi later in the day:
GABRIELA HEARST bids farewell to Chloé and leaves behind a green legacy
Though her tenure is relatively short, Hearst left an indelible mark on Chloé. She ushered in a new era of sustainability for the house, making it the first European luxury fashion house to receive B Corp certification. Hearst’s sustainability agenda included innovative initiatives such as the integration of eco-friendly materials, a pioneering resale program and collections with a focus on climate-friendly solutions.
Her leadership at Chloé sparked significant growth and a profound shift in the fashion house’s ethos. Chloé President and CEO Riccardo Bellini praised Hearst’s vision, passion and commitment to values and credited her as the author of a “new and vibrant chapter” in the annals of Chloé.
Upon her departure, Hearst expressed a sense of accomplishment and gratitude, emphasizing the importance of creating a more sustainable and purposeful future for the fashion industry. She said she is proud of the “positive change” her team has made during her tenure.
Hearst was one of a number of famous designers who shaped the fashion house’s unique style and identity. Her predecessors include notable industry figures such as Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfeld, Clare Waight Keller, Phoebe Philo and most recently Natacha Ramsay-Levi.
Founded in 1952, Chloé is often credited with pioneering the ready-to-wear concept that revolutionized the fashion industry.
Concluding Hearst’s journey at Chloé, the presentation of the Spring/Summer 2024 collection on September 28th will open the curtain on an era defined by sustainability, innovation and diversity.
CARTIER UNVEILS GLITTERING HIGH JEWELERY PREVIEW AT ICONIC RITZ HOTEL
Cartier, the legendary French jeweler, offered a tantalizing preview of its latest jewelry collection, ‘The Journey Begins Again’, at the famed Ritz Hotel on Place Vendome. Surrounded by champagne and luxury, attendees were given access to a selection of 50 pieces from the collection, due to be unveiled in August.
Cartier’s enduring legacy dates back to 1847 when Louis-Francois Cartier transformed the world of jewelry with his intricate designs and craftsmanship. This heritage shined in the latest collection, which presented seven pieces in two innovative series: “Unda” and “Voltea”.
The “Unda” series, named after the Latin word for wave, consisted of a necklace set with 1,092 diamonds and 67 emeralds. Set in white gold, the piece shone with its intricate wave patterns.
The “Voltea” series brought a touch of color and modernity. Derived from the concept of voltage or electricity, the series featured a striking necklace crafted from rose gold and coral, a material known for its fragility. The necklace’s segmented design beautifully reflected the pattern of an electric wave.
IMANE AYISSI’S LIVING CULTURAL FUSION
Cameroon-born couturier Imane Ayissi’s latest collection, unveiled at Paris Couture Week on Thursday, delivered a blend of vibrant colors and cultural fusion, reflecting his unique approach to couture that blends African inspirations with European codes.
The presentation was characterized by an abundance of bright colors and an eclectic style. Painted colored eyebrows and round orange earrings added an edgy touch to the collection, underscoring the designer’s talent for theatricality, which he honed during his early career with the Cameroon National Ballet.
A standout piece was a bodice creatively crafted from myriad vermilion flowers, a nod to the dynamic African wrap, contrasted with striking blue trousers. The ensemble exemplified Ayissi’s signature style fusion and ability to transform traditional African fabrics and concepts into couture.
A lime green satin couture dress with a cascading cape offered a graceful interpretation of European fashion norms, while an unstructured yellow dress with a striking fuchsia bow at the waist further highlighted Ayissi’s playful use of colour.
JEWELS MEETS ART: REPOSSIS “ANTIFER” INSPIRES ARTISTS
At the crossroads of contemporary art and high quality jewelery design, Repossi celebrated the 10th anniversary of its ‘Antifer’ collection with an exhibition on Paris’ chic Left Bank. The storied Italian brand, rooted in fine jewelery art since 1920, transformed a lush garden into an elegant stage for the milestone.
Renowned for its minimalist lines and architectural inspiration, the “Antifer” collection has become an iconic part of the Repossi brand over the last decade. In keeping with this aesthetic, the evening presented a curated collection of works by six international artists, each offering their own artistic interpretation of the “Antifer” design.
The event was about the creative dialogue between art and jewellery. Guests enjoyed a relaxed garden party atmosphere with a DJ and art exhibitions inspired by the jewelry collection.
The curated artworks, along with the Antifer collection, will be open to the public at Galerie Amelie, Maison d’art from July 7, 2023.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, transcribed, or redistributed without permission.
