Gaby Aghion, the founder of French fashion house Chloé, passed away at her home in Paris on Saturday, a day before the brand’s Spring 2015 runway show. She was 93-years-old.
Born in Egypt in 1921 to a wealthy family, Aghion arrived in Paris at the end of World War II. She pioneered the ready-to-wear concept at a time when French fashion houses only catered to well-heeled couture clients. Sensing a gap in the market for women’s clothing that was both high-quality and affordable, Aghion launched her first collection (a line of six cotton poplin dresses) in 1952 with business partner, Jacques Lenoir, and went on to become a success story that forever changed the notion of luxury ready-to-wear.
The revered label—named after Aghion’s good friend, Chloé Huymans—is best known for its laid-back elegance and forward-thinking mindset that strived to find and mentor up-and-coming designers, including a then unknown Karl Lagerfeld who was hired as the head designer in 1966.
Aghion, who received the Legion of Honor in late 2013, stepped down from Chloé in 1985, but remained a guiding, if ever discreet, presence at the house she founded.
Rest in peace.
