For the past decade, Phoebe Philo has become a phenomenal British fashion designer who has transformed women’s wear. ‘Philophiles’ and ‘Celine-ification’ were coined to describe her clean and minimalistic designs, which elevated everyday essentials and influenced several other designers.
She was born in Paris and relocated to London at the age of two, and it was known that she had been customizing garments ever since she was gifted a sewing machine for her birthday at the age of 14. She went on to Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, where she graduated in 1996. She returned to Paris a year later to join Chloe as the first assistant on ready-to-wear, where she worked alongside Stella McCartney, a fellow CSM classmate. In 2001, Philo was appointed as the brand’s creative director after McCartney stepped down. She remained in Chloe for around five years before resigning in 2006, shortly after receiving her first British Designer of the Year in 2005, to take maternity leave.
In 2008, she was appointed and offered a position as Celine’s creative director and board member by LVMH. She accepted the opportunity while establishing her own studio in London to be closer to her family while also exhibiting her work in Paris. She won her second British Designer of the Year in 2010, International Designer of the Year by the CDFA in 2011, and was named Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to fashion.
Chloe
During her five years at Chloe, she revived the brand by emphasizing the company’s aesthetic while adding her own personal touch. High-waisted jeans, baby doll dresses, wooden wedge shoes, and the padlocked Paddington bag were among the many memorable designs she displayed during her time at Chloe.
Celine
Phoebe Philo’s period at Celine has left a lasting impression on the fashion world. Her designs, which combined luxury with practicality and wearability, seamlessly transitioned from the runway to become wardrobe staples. The term ‘Old Celine’ lived true to its name because of her particular flair. Box-shaped bags, Boston tote bags, silk pants with interesting forms, coats inspired by menswear, fur-lined Birkenstock sandals, prints, colour blocking, wearable accessories and so much more were Philo’s tools to create impressive garments for 10 years at Celine.
