Chloé appoints Chemena Kamali as new creative director—here are 5 things to know about the designer taking over from Gabriela Hearst

Chemena Kamali had previously worked at Yves Saint Laurent and will debut her first collection for Chloé in January 2024

French fashion brand Chloé announced Chemena Kamali as its new creative director on October 9. She succeeds Gabriela Hearst, who bade farewell to the brand with her spring-summer 2024 fashion show at Paris Fashion Week in September 2023.

Following the announcement, Chloé posted a statement by Kamali on Instagram: “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 … My heart has always been at Chloé’s.”

Here’s what you need to know about Kamali ahead of her debut collection early next year.

1. She is German Uruguayan

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The fashion designer, who was born in Dusseldorf, Germany in 1981, also has Uruguayan roots, just like her predecessor at Chloé, Hearst. It might be interesting for fashion buffs to see if she chooses to incorporate elements from her cultural heritage in future collections.

2. She graduated from Central Saint Martins

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Kamali did her masters in fashion from Central Saint Martins University of the Arts in London, from where she graduated with distinction in 2007. The UK university counts among its alumni notable designers such as Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano and Riccardo Tisci.

3. It’s not her first stint at Chloé

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Kamali has worked for Chloé previously. She began her career at the maison as part of British designer Phoebe Philo’s team in 2007 and later rejoined Chloé in 2013 as design director under British designer Clare Waight Keller before leaving in 2016.

4. She has worked at Yves Saint Laurent previously

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Until 2023, Kamali was working at French fashion brand Yves Saint Laurent—under Belgian Italian fashion designer Anthony Vaccarello—as the maison’s women’s ready-to-wear design director.

5. She will debut her first collection in January 2024

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Kamali will showcase her first pre-collection for Chloé in Paris in January next year, followed by a fall-winter 2024 collection during Paris Fashion Week in February 2024.

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Chemena Kamali Chloé Saint Laurent Phoebe Philo Fashion

Tatler Asia

Chloé appoints Chemena Kamali as new creative director—here are 5 things to know about the designer taking over from Gabriela Hearst

1. She is German Uruguayan

2. She graduated from Central Saint Martins

3. It’s not her first stint at Chloé

4. She has worked at Yves Saint Laurent previously

5. She will debut her first collection in January 2024