Hannah MacGibbon made the most iconic It bags for Chloe.
Chloe has had a long line of prestigious and well-known creative directors: There was Karl Lagerfeld throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s, Stella McCartney in the late ‘90s, and the iconic Phoebe Philo from 2001 – 2008. After Philo stepped down, British designer Hannah MacGibbon took on the role of creative director at Chloe; and even though she was more quiet and unassuming than her predecessors, she arguably left the biggest impact on the label–especially when it comes to It bags.
You might be thinking, “Well, what about Stella McCartney’s Silverado bag? Or Phoebe Philo’s Paddington?” to which we say: We hear you, but hear us out.
Chloe’s Silverado and Paddington bags were instant hits at the time, but that’s just it…they were big at the time. We rarely see a Silverado or Paddington come through FASHIONPHILE today, and that’s because these iconic It bags have a timestamp on them. (Sad, but true.) On the other hand, MacGibbon’s It bag creations–namely, the Marcie (introduced in 2010) and the Paratay (introduced in 2008)–have proven to be perpetually chic. That’s just MacGibbon’s style. She has famously eschewed high fashion clothing in favor of baseball caps and sneakers and brought her love of easy dressing along with her to Chloe. In her words, she wanted to create pieces that were “understated, sensitive, real.” Mission accomplished, MacGibbon!
Since MacGibbon released the Marcie and Paratay, the styles have been endlessly reinvented by her successors–which is a sure sign of timeless appeal.
The Marcie Bag
Chloe’s Marcie styles are diverse–the shape has been repurposed for hobo bags, satchels, wallets, and chic little crossbody purses as well. The defining feature is a large, saddle-shaped front flap with intricate stitching.
The classic Calfskin Large Marcie Satchel in Tan ($895) is the perfect everyday bag, while the Calfskin Mini Marcie Crossbody Bag ($535) is more suited for evenings out. The Calfskin Medium Marcie Satchel in Orange ($680) is a fun pop of color, and the Mini Marcie Round Crossbody in Tan ($795) will literally go with everything.
The Paratay Bag
The Chloe Paratay is one of the most distinctive yet versatile It bags ever made. With its upside-down trapezoid shape and short top handles, it fits everything you need inside but still feels elegant.
If you’re looking for a new HG-status purse, the Chloe Calfskin Large Paraty in Black ($695) is it. The Python Large Paraty in Sand ($875) is a luxe take on the shape, while the Calfskin Medium Paraty Satchel in Peacock Blue ($725) is more of a statement piece. Our personal favorite Paratay is the classic, clean Calfskin Medium Paraty in Tan ($470).
