Saying goodbye is usually a somber affair, but Gabriela Hearst’s exit from Chloe, marked by her final Seine-side fashion show, was a celebration of joy and style.
Hearst’s farewell show, arguably her finest collection for Chloe, culminated in the electrifying performance of Mangueira, a vibrant 20-piece Latin band with a rich 95-year history. As the band stormed onto the runway, Hearst herself joined in, weaving her way among the musicians and models in a spectacular show staged at Port de la Bourdonnais.
With her time at Chloe coming to an end, Hearst is set to return to New York to dedicate herself to her own signature collection. However, she leaves Paris with pride, having penned a stylish chapter in the legacy of this quintessential French fashion institution. It’s worth noting that Chloe has seen the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Martine Sitbon, Stella McCartney, and Phoebe Philo as creative directors before Hearst, showcasing her place among historic fashion greats.
The show opened with a striking series of one-shoulder, multi-ruffled dresses, artfully twisted into an asymmetrical shell shape. It continued with a collection of magnificent coats, featuring exaggerated leg-of-mutton sleeves gathered at the shoulder, topped off by a stunning black leather motorcycle jacket elongated into a commanding greatcoat.
Each look was impeccably paired with gaucho boots, featuring unique concave heels, and adorned with shell-shaped bracelets and exquisite baubles.
As evening descended, Hearst took ruching to the next level, presenting stunning leather cocktail dresses and a flawless ochre Grecian velour gown. Then, with resounding cheers, her Latin band made their grand entrance, followed by the Uruguayan designer herself, leaping and dancing with her cast.
In the words of Charles Dickens, «It is a far, far better thing that I do now than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.» This sentiment perfectly captures Hearst’s transition from one fashion capital to another—a seamless move marked not by critical scrutiny but by an outpouring of applause and admiration.
Gabriela Hearst, Chloe, Fashion Show, Latin Band, Paris, New York, Fashion Institution, One-Shoulder Dresses, Leather Jackets, Gaucho Boots, Stylish Departure, Fashion Legacy.
