Nowadays, sustainability is more than just a buzzword; it’s the backbone of a revolution that’s taking root in the heart of the fashion industry. At the vanguard of this evolution is Gabriela Hearst, who since assuming her role as Creative director at Chloé, has tirelessly worked to integrate ecological consciousness into the brand’s DNA.
Where others see sustainability as a daunting challenge, Hearst perceives it as an opportunity to innovate. Her primary focus? Materials. Over her initial tenure at Chloé, she zealously redirected the house’s resources away from conventional, eco-unfriendly fabrics to sustainable alternatives. One thing was clear: under her stewardship, cotton logo tees had no place.
For Chloé Cruise 2024 (Resort 2024), Chloé unveiled a lineup that’s as ethical as it is aesthetically pleasing, with emphasis on consciousness, circularity, and timelessness. But as Hearst explains it, the sophisticated garments in the collection belie their origins: “This collection is about the chicest garment mixing, but actually you’re looking at trash”, she said with a sense of pride during a virtual showroom presentation.
Although these repurposed items might have once been labelled as “trash”, the craftsmanship in this collection asserts the contrary. It features jeans made from a distinctive fabric blend of 87% post-consumer cotton and 13% hemp, a result of an exciting collaboration with denim connoisseur, Adriano Goldschmied. Furthermore, the collection challenges preconceived notions about materials; what seems like denim at a glance, could be suede, like the shearling collared jacket that forms part of the collection.
Knitwear, another favorite of Hearst‘s, makes a prominent appearance throughout. From elegant, fringed pieces to Merino dresses with intricate botanical guipure midriffs that redefine cut-out styles, the offerings are diverse and compelling. Craftsmanship extends to evening wear, where the designer harks back to Karl Lagerfeld’s legacy at Chloé. An exquisite column dress worn by Maude Apatow at the Met Gala last month finds echoes in the line, complete with a hand-embroidered arrow motif and replicated across various accessories.
However, the triumph lies in the sublimely chic, sharp clothing in neutral shades. These pieces, Hearst asserts, are the epitome of sustainable, long-term investment dressing. A black wool cape coat, denim and shearling jacket, and a cropped chocolate leather jacket prove that sustainability doesn’t equate to compromise in style or quality.
In Hearst’s words, “In fashion, people sometimes forget that we are providing a service, something that is beautiful and well made”. With Chloé’s upcoming collection, it seems fans are bound to appreciate the immense value of the fashion house’s pivot towards a sustainable future. As the industry transforms, it’s certain that Gabriela Hearst’s sustainable vision will continue to inspire and reshape the very fabric of fashion.
Read more: Gabriela Hearst’s tenure at Chloé comes to an end
