How to have a chic but relaxed style according to the French fashion brand Chloe?
By Sandrine Goncalvès

For the next summer, Chloe’s Designer Hannah McGibbon has decided to revive the army theme that has already witnessed a huge success this past winter season. This can be first seen in the colour palette which is limited to a range of neutral tones, such as simple white, beige, khaki, camel or powdered pink. Camouflage printings may again prove to be a major trend for the coming summer.

The key in the creation a perfect urban casual wardrobe lays in the balance between comfort and elegance. Hannah McGibbon chose simple but noble fabrics such as linen or silk. Priority was given to full and fluid pieces of clothes to achieve a total freedom of movement. The cuts are sober and structured but they are not deprived of charm, though discreet.

The style can appear quite boyish for the designer did not hesitate in borrowing ideas in the locker rooms of both sexes. Jackets or shirts are straight cut and trousers are wide. A special attention has to be paid to the pant-suits, all declined in white or camel. They give the models a touch of masculine class and allow them to play on the ambivalence of sexes.

This only extravagance seems to be found in the association of clothes that seem to have nothing to do with each other. The designer ventured small original mixings such as small strict masculine shirts worn with long and loose skirts made in silky fabrics or cloak worn over tiny shorts. In addition to that, models always wore flat leather sandals. Absolutely no heels were seen in the catwalk. This style can perfectly be imagined on a chic working woman living in the city or a globe-trotter. Actually, the collection is supplemented by a complete line of travel accessories made of crocodile skin.

The end of the fashion show then reveals a series of beautiful dresses which gives the collection its final touch of glamor. These dresses are very long and fall to the ankles. All designed in translucent and fluid fabrics, they are reminiscent of a certain 70’s style, not to say hippie.

Regarding the hair, it is let loose, soft and wavy. The skin is not made up at all. Naturalness is really pushed to its paroxysm. No wonder it is the seductive Brazilian top model Raquel Zimmerman who has been chosen to embody the face of the advertising campaign for this collection. Her simple looks make her the ideal person to become the image of the brand.

Hannah MacGibbon has really succeeded in reviving the former romantic style of Chloe, which has been somewhat neglected by her predecessor Paulo Melim Anderson whose collections were not as successful as expected.
A graduate of the famous St Martins School in London, Hannah MacGibbon first worked for Valentino before joining Chloe and Phoebe Philo, the former artistic director with whom she worked five years. Phoebe Philo and Stella Mac Cartney are really considered as the designers who settled Chloe as the fashionable romantic brand. Hannah McGibbon definitely seems ready to continue this legacy. Her secret ? Creating simply cut clothes that are to be worn lightly and casually yet always stylishly.