I found Chloe. that's all I can say. - YouLookFab Forum

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I found Chloe. that's all I can say.

Keturah

Veteran

Just had to share a moment. Today, I found Chloe. All these years of somehow thinking she was prim like Chanel, or classic like Dior -- things I couldn't stand about either design house. Based on that, I decided that Chloe was not for me and swore off French designers. They all had to be the same, non?

Well, I saw Chloe's FW 2014 line today and I just about cried. There was my entire sense of style represented by one clothing designer. I sighed and felt at peace again with the fashion world.

Now, I know designers change over the years, that in 2 years I may not identify with Chloe anymore. But gosh dang, I hope that isn't the case. Not because I can afford a scarf let alone an entire outfit, but because Chloe tangibly represents everything in style that I've only been able to express with a few words. It's like finding religion, finding myself, finding the moment when my little fashion heart suddenly found a sleeve to be worn on.

Anyone else have such a designer moment? Please tell me if I sound absolutely nuts.

23 replies

Latest reply was from Keturah

Deborah

Veteran

I totally get this. Rick Owens and Complex Geometries totally 'get me". Of course Rick is a little out of my budget but I seek great inspiration from him. I feel he "knows" me and accepts me:) It's a connection that is difficult to put in words. It's a recognition. Something you have known all your life but you have only just found it... does that make any sense?

Anonymous

Huh. No, I haven't, but you can bet I'm going to go have a look at Chloe's F/W 2014 line! I've heard that falling in love with a design house like this can really help you hone your personal style, whether or not you can afford the clothes. There is probably a mid-priced retailer that will copy the design aesthetic somewhat, and give you some affordable options. I'm happy for you Keturah!

catgirl

Veteran

Yep. Rick Owens, Helmut Lang, Ann Demuellemeister, Alexander Wang - or within my budget, AllSaints. These are designers that very much "get me". Love Chloe too, actually, especially the handbags.

E

Veteran

I remember seeing Ulyana Sergeenko's first collection and just loving it. It made me realise how much I love folklore and that it can be worked into an everyday context! But I don't usually look at designers (that collection was discussed on a couple blogs I follow) so not a lot of exposure there. Instead I tend to get a somewhat similar feeling when watching certain movies or tv shows.

Alassë

Veteran

I'm happy for you!

rachylou

Veteran

Not nuts. Marc Jacobs was *my* designer for years and years. I've gone off him, admittedly, and no one else has captured my fancy in the same way.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

That's such a great story. I'm happy for you. It's so inspiring to see designs that really speak to you. I felt that way about Textile Studio patterns almost a decade ago. When I discovered them, I just wanted to make everything in the line and swap out my entire wardrobe for those clothes. I loved the aesthetic, the way the patterns fit, and the simple, professional-looking construction techniques. I still use some of those patterns, though there haven't been any new ones since I first encountered the line.

shedev

Veteran

Yep, I know exactly what you mean. Nope, doesn't sound nuts at all. Mine are Rick Owens, Helmut Lang, and All Saints.

Runcarla

Veteran

Gosh, I went nuts for L'wren Scott, though she really did design for a body different from mine. Although he is a little overly commercial, I do relate to Ralph Lauren, and I can wear his stuff off the rack!

Anonymous

I had my first real designer "moment" when I saw Donna Karan's designer line in Holt's many many years ago. I swear I almost cried. I was probably 25. Every once in awhile I have a similar reaction to a designer runway show or their retail line but it's never the same one season after season. Truthfully, the construction and fabric alone on "real" designer clothes is enough for me to appreciate.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, this sounds so beautiful! I am happy for you! (And want to check that collection out).

I have not had a design crush that intense, but I do believe I felt something like what LisaP felt about that very same Donna Karan line. I have been looking to reproduce that feeling ever since.

deb

Veteran

Off to watch the Chloe show.

Classically Casual

Veteran

Thanks for your post! I admit to giving very little thought to fashion designers, and I would be hard pressed to identify one collection vs. someone else's collection. That said, I found the Chloe images very enjoyable. I liked the pale color palate and the sculptural coats especially. Most of the pieces also looked like clothing that could be worn by real people without a lot of modification if one lived an urban/international life. So thank you for giving me something to ponder. Maybe someday someone's collection will speak to me too! Do you have any sense if this "look" continues from one season to the next? In the old days, my sense is that individual houses were more recognizable than now.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

If I were very rich I would buy a lot of Christophe Lemaire with some Issey Miyake and other Japanese designers thrown in.

crutcher

Veteran

Hey Keturah...So glad to hear you found a stylist that speaks to you..Now you can go back to that page as you shop and duplicate the clothing...I look at it this way if I had the money to shop couture, then I doubt it would be as much fun as it is when I can drool, duplicate and feel smug in doing so...Can't wait to see how this plays out for you....
(How is Millie?...I do think of you and her often...Hope all is well...Take care)

Anonymous

I understand exactly how you feel. I can't say I have ever found a single design house that spoke to me. I seem to fall in love with elements from a myriad of different designers.

Keturah

Veteran

Deborah, "It's a connection that is difficult to put in words. It's a recognition. Something you have known all your life but you have only just found it... does that make any sense?" It not only makes sense, I simply couldn't say it any better.

Claire, I sure think and hope it will help me hone my style. Now to find a retailer that is Chloe-esque!

E, mmm... that's a beautiful story. And how wonderful you could identify that element that was speaking to you! As for Ulyana Sergeenko, she is simply extravagant!

Rachey, I hope that doesn't happen for me with Chloe. But one never knows.

Firecracker, I would gladly swap out my clothes! Admittedly, the colors didn't speak to me necessarily. But the lines, the silhouettes... the joy communicated in this collection was so refreshing, and made me feel so happy. How often does clothing do that?

Runcaria, I'm not sure Chloe is meant for a 5'11ish curvy hourglass, ha! But worth a try anyway

Classically Casual, Well I'm glad you found things to inspire and delight you! That is what the collection did for me.

Shevia, if I were very rich, you and I would do a lot of shopping together. While we wore our hats.

Crutcher, I shall be working on replicating some of what I saw, both with what I own, and with future purchases.

Sterling, I haven't felt this strong about anyone before. But I like eclectically finding bits and pieces to love -- it's like a flower bouquet!

Keturah

Veteran

So, just some follow-up thoughts to my Chloe moment yesterday.

Now that I look at some of the past collections, I can't say that I feel nearly as strongly about the overall design aesthetic itself. It hints at tomboy, which I am not. But what I do get from the collection is a lot of joy and carefree-ness. Just realizing that is what I love in clothes, well, that's a very good thing to know.

Then something really lovely happened -- I started looking at designers collections over at Vogue and I discovered another designers I loved every single collection I looked at: Diane Von Furstenberg. Her clothes not only fit my heart - glam, feminine, and dramatic - they look like they would compliment my tall curvy body. And I loved her Spring 2013 RTW collection to PIECES:

http://www.style.com/slideshow.....erg/collec

That said, it DVF while gorgeous and wonderful, didn't inspire the same amount of sheer unexplainable joy that Chloe has.

These from Spring 2013 were also impeccable...

http://media.style.com/image/t..... 

http://media.style.com/image/t.....6x2048.JPG

http://media.style.com/image/t.....6x2048.JPG

And then Fall 2012... http://www.style.com/slideshow.....collection

LE SIGH!

Stephanie

i have several pairs of Chloe boots, and they were always my "go to" boots.

Echo

Veteran

I absolutely understand how you feel. Alexander McQueen is the one who "gets" me.

Keturah

Veteran

Stephanie, how delightful!! I don't own a single piece of Chloe...yet

Echo, mmm McQueen! I do admire many of his things. Quite beautiful and dramatic!

Mia

Veteran

I wish I could find such a fit but not yet. YSL and Jil Sander would be close.

Keturah

Veteran

Mia, that's wonderful too! I went for many years without finding a designer that spoke to me. And who knows, maybe in another few years Chloe's pieces won't speak to me the same as a certain year or style.

There's no guarantees in fashion. All we can do is be true to our style. At least that's what I'm learning.

xo and GLITTER