Chloe’s creative director resigns

Phoebe Philo, the fashion designer who made Chloe a coveted brand for clothing and handbags, has resigned as creative director for personal reasons. A successor has not been named.

The fall collection to be presented in Paris in March will be designed by an in-house team.

Philo, 31, cited her desire to spend more time with her family in London. “I am grateful to the House of Chloe for giving me the opportunity to develop as a designer,” she said in a company statement.

In the past few seasons, Chloe has emerged as one of Paris’ most influential fashion houses, popular with celebrities Lindsay Lohan and Gwyneth Paltrow for such hits as the whip-stitched Silverado and padlocked Paddington handbags, plus boho chic blouses and dresses.

Philo struggled to balance her family life with pressures to grow the brand into other categories, including costume jewelry, watches and lingerie. She joined Chloe in 1997 as part of designer Stella McCartney’s creative team. In 2001, she replaced her former classmate at London’s Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design when McCartney left to set up her own fashion house with Gucci Group.

-- Booth Moore