Chemena Kamali Shows Us What Chloe Was, Is, And What It Could Be

"Folklore is 180 years old. Obviously, I mean that's when the phrase itself was invented, given that the whole point of the actual thing is that that's ancient, passed between generations, adapting and mutating, stories twisted. That's kind of the same as a fashion house, whose meaning rarely deviates from its natural order but whose re-telling can be elaborated, extrapolated and shifted."

"Chemena Kamali's interpretation, however, is sticking. It's knowledgeable, well-rounded, yet fundamentally based on feeling and doing, rather than over-thinking. She isn't really mulling over the philosophy or identity of the Chloe woman and at 74 years old, can we call her a woman now, rather than a girl? Rather, she's going with her instincts. They're bang on."

"Kamali, however, isn't about distractions. Rather, she's addressing what women want to wear, how they look good, what Chloe should stand for."

Chloe's creative direction under Chemena Kamali demonstrates how fashion houses, like folklore, evolve through reinterpretation while maintaining core identity. The Autumn/Winter 2026 collection embraces the label's historical bohemian aesthetic with Tyrolean knits, prairie blouses, and ruffled gypsy skirts, echoing Karl Lagerfeld's original vision that elevated Chloe during the 1973 oil crisis. Kamali's approach differs from previous interpretations by prioritizing instinct and practical wearability over philosophical overthinking. Rather than serving as escapist distraction, her designs address what contemporary women genuinely want to wear, establishing Chloe's relevance through feeling-based design that honors heritage while remaining grounded in present needs.

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