Critically Canuck

French fashion house Chloe presents relaxed, in a glamorous way

French fashion house Chloé brought its singular brand of ugg discount laid-back chic to Los Angeles recently, hosting a fashion show and dinner at the Midcentury Modern Brody House. Tastemakers including Zoe Saldana, January Jones, Jessica Paré, Nicole Richie and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley were treated to a presentation of the spring/summer 2014 collection first shown during Paris Fashion Week.

Chloé was founded by Gaby Aghion in 1952 as a more relaxed alternative to the formal, haute couture clothing of the day. Under the direction of Karl Lagerfeld, it became an iconic 1970s brand known for feminine blouses and outlet ugg fluid boho dresses. Beginning in the late 1990s, a string of female designers took the helm, including Stella McCartney, Phoebe Philo and Hannah MacGibbon, and they gave the brand a more modern, tomboyish spin. They also boosted the accessories side of the business with popular pieces such as the padlocked Paddington bag, the horseshoe-shaped Marcie satchel and the studded Susanna boots, all of which garnered a following with celebrities.

British-born, Paris-based designer Clare Waight Keller took over the post ugg boots outlet online of creative director in 2011, and her spring 2014 collection of beat-the-heat pieces in an earthy palette was her best yet, with a standout floaty micro-pleated white silk cloque dress knotted over the arms; khaki micro-pleated silk pants with loose ankle ties, worn with a navy peaked-shoulder blouse; chiffon-weight knits; burnished khaki leather pants; and blue crochet lace dresses.