Phoebe Philo in Fall 2005

Phoebe Philo is back, but not to bring smooshy leather idealism again to Chloé, but as the next creative director of fellow French fashion house, Céline.

LVMH Moët Hennessy confirmed to WWD exclusively on Sept. 4th. The magazine immediately published the news, but in short, almost byte form - so here you get a detailed reaction with enough information to match…

Despite creating arguably the world’s favorite IT bag with the company, Philo left the design world completely 2 years ago to stay home with a new baby, who’s now 3 with a younger sibling of 18 months*. The deal with Céline that appealed to the new mom is that she would be allowed to stay and work in her home town of London, and not the headquarters of both houses, Paris, France. (*Source) Why the success her Paddington and other beloved purses being responsible for Chloé’s clout of today didn’t cause Phoebe to merely take temporary maternity leave, with parent company, Richemont, offering this same compromise is beyond me. Click for more (story, photos, etc.) »

Chloé has put out soo many fantabulostest bags this season, it’s mad! Many aren’t happy with new (and recently sacked) designer, Paulo Melim’s clothes, but come on - those bags! I’d hire him if I didn’t do all my own designing and well, owned a huge company. Just for bags, of course. To me, this will be Chloé’s big year, aside from 2005 - there are just way too many bags I’m dying to blog about, even with my newer philosophy to stick to only the most notable (good or bad).

So yes, I’m behind this Spring… and where to start? Well why not where I have a little pun already popped into my mind - even though it’s just an update on my favorite, and I recently blogged about the Paddington, but oh well! It’s a fave for a reason, perhaps.

Yes, the Paddy, that I have dubbed…

The Pattenton

Basically, the Paddy’s out in patent now, which actually is notable for a bag known largely for its smooshy leather. I say since they recently failed to keep up with the quality, why not just go patent? Not forever, but it’s amusing, aaaaaaand surprisingly gorge! I love the matching tone on the new padlocks, too, and that blue is giving me cravings! Other tiny details were altered, as well, which always keeps the bag-candy browsing interesting … even if I can’t afford such a bag right now. And it’s not one I can easily “copy” and make, either. But that does just keep the love deeper.

If you want to and can snatch one up - good luck - Paddies are widely sold out, at least online.

Even though the Paddington is my favorite designer bag, it’s not for the lock. In fact, it’s quite despite it’s more silly features and is largely about those side belts.

But the silliness does not end at that huge padlock, I suddenly this morning found myself pondering why the Chloé brand is so insistent on using only the silver-tone (nickel?) metal for their zippers, no matter how aged-brassy the rest of the hardware is. Apparently it glides better - but the problem is the bag is still a pain in the tush to zip up! Half the time those unsecured ends come undone.

I’d say give us a little less “quality” metal and give us a feature that will actually help speed up the toting of this purse, because most of us just “fling the lock over”, and we could use at least one easier step.

… On the other hand, it kind of tickles me that the bags may seem fake to some when they are the true ones (however I’ve never seen a matchy-matchy fake, sigh).

Now I must go remind “Choccy” I love her. (”Mama didn’t mean it!”)

The IT Chloé Heloise at Net-a-Porter has lowered in price from $1,670 to $1,169. Pretty good difference! I almost want to jump, but I think I’ll wait for a bit more of a decline. If you don’t want to miss a shot by any chance, it is absolutely at a fine price now!

I begin a new year of content, coming back from technical and then personal problems, with a reflection upon the greatest hand styles from the last. Without further ado…

#10: Red Jersey Roxanne Bag by Mulberry for Gap

When an IT bag goes discount and it’s legit, there must be huge hype. Not only is that true for this Roxanne bag by Mulberry and Gap, but 50% of the proceeds go to a charity fighting AIDs. What could be hotter than this product Red bag, then? Made out of jersey fabric, it still looks just as haute. Watch out though, it’s only available in one store (a Gap flagship) in London. Burned?

Actually, there’s a new Paddington with lock on a chain, or off the chain, even if in a ghetto-fabulous way.

Other new features of the Paddington Capsule Satchel by Chloé, are a front flap pocket, ID-tag-like zipper pulls, C-shaped rings on adjustable straps, and the design of the smaller padlock and key, themselves.

You know I’m starting to see potential for classin’ up the bag when paired with the right ensemble!

So far I see this will be available in “elephant” tan, black (noir), blue nuit (navy), and vanilla.

Owwwwwww, my designer-purse-ban hold over me is weakening a bit for this bag. What can I sell to afford its $1,780 pricetag of the tan or the more beautiful charcoal at — eek! — $1,980? Ummm, Gucci… ummm… other Chloés… ummm… …

See more photos below..

A new, interesting Chloé Edith is here again. Ahh, refreshing. With a medium-length thick shoulder strap with double buckles on each side, this tan leather bag features a true-buckled/magnetic flap closure a double buckled pouch pocket and a zippered pocket with oversized pull. It’s all signature style. Measuring 10.5″ x 10″, this IT-variation Mini Edith Satchel will throw itself over your shoulder if you’ve got $1190 for it.

Chloé Debbie bags‘ main feature is a large zipper, much like the Bay, but the actual zipper pull closely resembles that from the Edith (last year’s IT bag). An equally large feature, yet less prominently unique, is its clip flap closure. (That’s also similar to the Edith’s buckle flap closure.) The bags all also boast a contrast-colored stripe on the flaps.

Styles on Neiman Marcus .com consist of (1) a shoulder flap satchel with double front zipper pockets, (2) an east/west shoulder tote sans pockets and (3) a divine looking north south hobo with double front pockets (best of them ALL in cream).

Colors are brown, tan, cream and yellow. Prices from $1,120 to $1,130; not bad.

Shop Chloé Debbies on Neiman Marcus .com.

All photos below:

What green bag are you carrying this St. Patrick’s Day? Post your photos in our forum!

I’m making mine a Saint Paddy Day with my Chloe Paddington “Mousse” Satchel!

Have a fun yet safe holiday!

Chloé’s Bay is the IT bag of the season, and like many, I’m interested in one. (But I want the Quilted on sale, heh heh.) We’re all waiting, waiting, wanting. What’s available now, for pre-order, and in which colours/styles? And what are the retail prices, you ask? Here’s the run down.

The Available Styles/prices:

Classic Bay bag - Euro conversion: $1485 ; Japanese Yen conversion $1195 (wow)
Lambskin Classic Bay bag - $1680
Bay Tote bag - $1680
Bay Shoulder Tote bag - $1860
Small Patent Shoulder Bay - $1380
Shoulder Bay bag - Euro conversion: $1419
East/West Bay bag - Japanese Yen conversion: $1191
Lambskin Bay Hobo - $1800
Shoulder Bay - $1600
Classic Quilted Bay shoulder bag - $1780
Quilted Bay Tote bag - $1635
Mini Pouch Bay - Euro conversion: $436
Quilted Big Bay - Euro conversion: $1750

Bay Colors:

Black (noir) Dark Brown (mocha, café), white (blanc), camel/roche/sand, navy, orange

Availability:

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