With names like Céline and Chloé under her reign once upon a time, the grounded yet mysterious nature of Phoebe Philo comes off as a riddle of sorts. The British fashion designer knows exactly when she needs a break and isn’t afraid to take it. In 2006, Philo decided to leave Chloé to spend more time with her family in London. The break lasted for two years before luxury giant LVMH wooed her to Céline. But she shocked fashion enthusiasts yet again when she quit her decade-long stint at Céline in 2018, giving up her coveted position as the Maison’s Creative Director. With no plans to join a luxury fashion rival, she left followers confused before going MIA professionally.
Now, after a three year-hiatus, Philo is making a comeback with an independent, namesake house—with LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) as a minority investor. With clothing and accessories “rooted in exceptional quality and design,” Philo has been working with a small team in a studio in London since late last year. As she gears up rather quietly to reveal more details about Phoebe Philo Studio, here’s what she had to say about her journey so far: “Being in my studio and making once again has been both exciting and incredibly fulfilling. I am very much looking forward to being back in touch with my audience and people everywhere. To be independent, to govern and experiment on my own terms is hugely significant to me.”
Season after season, Philo has churned out clean lines, sharp tailoring, modernist silhouettes and distinctive handbags, which garnered all eyes towards her. Imagining women as a muse and gravitating towards gaining likes of Hollywood’s A-listers, Philo’s simplicity and discernment have been impressive in a career spanning over 15 years. Her clothes were not just simply for women; they were also about women. With a refined philosophy that speaks to the 21st-century woman, many are now turning to Philo’s eponymous brand with hopes of the same DNA, only reimagined and completely her own.
Photographs: Instagram
