Phoebe Philo

Biography

Phoebe Philo OBE (born 25 October 1973) is an English fashion designer. She was the creative director of fashion brands Céline from 2008 to 2017 and Chloé from 2001 to 2006. Her eponymous line launched in 2023.

Philo began working for Chloé in 1997 as Stella McCartney's design assistant, succeeding her as creative director in 2001. At Chloé, she was credited with contrasting babydoll dresses with heavy leather accessories, such as the Paddington bag. During that time, she also became the first designer at a major fashion brand to take an official extended maternity leave.

In 2002, Philo commissioned Sophie Hicks to create a concept for the Chloé stores. During her time at Chloé, Philo brought "easy-to-wear, feelgood designs, which mix boyish and girlish, retro and contemporary in a deft way". In 2006 Philo left Chloé. She subsequently moved back to London to be with her family and had her second child.

In 2008, LVMH offered Philo a job as creative director and board member of the French Maison Céline. She agreed on condition that to continue working in London whilst showing in Paris, and devoted the first year to rebuilding the business by opening a design studio in a derelict Georgian townhouse on Cavendish Square in London.

She presented her debut collection the next year. In 2010, the inaugural issue of The Gentlewoman featured Philo on the cover.

In 2017 after 10 years of working at Céline and much speculation in the media Philo announced to her team that she would be leaving after the Pre-Fall 2018 collection.