Designer A-Z

Chloe

Autumn/Winter 2011

By Carrie Gorman

In a season punctuated with rumours about designer swapsies - who’s in, who’s out, who’s head’s on the block - the latest rumour to hit just a few hours before the Chloe show was that its designer Hannah MacGibbon’s contract was not up for renewal.

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And to add more drama to an already pressure-cooker environment backstage, that the reaction to this collection would seal MacGibbon’s fate.

By the show’s end word was out that Chloe had rubbished the claims. A good job since MacGibbon has brought nothing but acclaim to the label since she took over in 2008. The Autumn Winter 2011 collection will be no different. Remaining faithful to the house’s 70s luxe roots - but with extra attitude - the flowing pleated dresses, loose leather high-waisted pants and sheer shirts were all in attendance. This season with the addition of snakeskin and patchwork print. Calf-lengths remain, this time dressed with heels – this Chloe girl has graduated from ballet school to become the sexy tearaway. With classic Chloe pieces like the patch jeans, paisley print dresses and leather dungarees, if MacGibbon's career was resting on this collection, she's in line for promotion.