Phoebe Philo
Born 1973 · Age 52
English fashion designer; creative director of Chloé (2001–2006) and Céline (2008–2017); launched eponymous label in 2023.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Paris, France
Phoebe Philo born to British parents working in Paris (father Richard, mother Celia).
Family returned to Britain
Philo's family moved back to Britain when she was two; she grew up in Harrow, London.
Early interest in clothing (tantrums to dress herself)
Reported childhood anecdote that she would have tantrums if she couldn't dress herself; early sign of fashion interest.
Early customization of clothes (reported)
Britannica notes she began putting her own spin on garments (e.g., customizing a school leotard) around age 10.
Received sewing machine; began customising clothes
According to sources, she began customizing her clothes after receiving a sewing machine for her 14th birthday.
Met Stella McCartney at Central Saint Martins
While studying at Central Saint Martins, Philo met classmate Stella McCartney (friendship/connection important to career).
Graduated Central Saint Martins
Graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design; final student collection noted by The Guardian.
Joined Chloé as Stella McCartney's design assistant
Moved to Paris to join Chloé as Stella McCartney's first design assistant for ready-to-wear.
Became Creative Director of Chloé
Succeeded Stella McCartney as creative director of Chloé.
Presented first ready-to-wear collection for Chloé
Presented her first ready-to-wear collection as Chloé creative director (reported October 2001).
Launched Chloé accessories line / commissioned store concept
Launched Chloé accessories line and commissioned Sophie Hicks to design the concept for Chloé stores.
Named 'Best Dressed' by Vogue (Jan issue)
Vogue (January issue) named Philo 'Best Dressed' in 2003.
Chloé reported sales surge (approx. 40%)
Sources report Chloé experienced a sharp sales increase (cited ~40% surge in 2004 under Philo's leadership).
Married Max Wigram
Married English gallerist and art dealer Max Wigram in July 2004.
Paddington bag / breakout accessory at Chloé
Philo credited with the Paddington bag — an "It" handbag that became highly coveted and commercial success around mid-2000s.
Took extended official maternity leave while at Chloé
Became the first designer at a major fashion brand to take an official extended maternity leave while in a top role.
Awarded British Designer of the Year (reported)
Sources vary on year; Philo received British Fashion Council Designer of the Year during the 2000s (commonly cited years: 2005 and/or 2004 by different outlets).
Left Chloé and moved back to London
Stepped down from Chloé in 2006 to focus on family life; moved back to London and had second child around this period.
Offered Creative Director role and board membership at Céline (LVMH)
LVMH offered Philo the creative director position at Céline and a seat on the board; she agreed on condition she could work from London and show in Paris.
Opened London design studio for Céline (Cavendish Square townhouse)
Devoted first year to rebuilding Céline by opening a design studio in a derelict Georgian townhouse on Cavendish Square in London.
Presented debut Céline collection
Presented her debut collection for Céline (public debut as Céline creative director dated 2009).
Featured on inaugural cover of The Gentlewoman
The inaugural issue of The Gentlewoman featured Philo on the cover (2010).
British Designer of the Year (British Fashion Awards)
Won British Designer of the Year for the second time (award from British Fashion Council, ceremony typically December 2010).
CFDA International Designer of the Year
Received the International Designer award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
Gave birth to third child (pregnancy led to skipping A/W 2012 shows)
Céline skipped the Autumn/Winter 2012 fashion week because Philo was pregnant; she welcomed her third child in April 2012.
Designed mink-covered Birkenstock-inspired sandal
Created a sandal inspired by a classic Birkenstock with a mink-covered footbed (noted in 2013).
Included in The BoF 500 (Business of Fashion)
Recognised as part of the BoF 500, the index of people shaping the global fashion industry.
Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Appointed OBE in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to fashion.
Named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People
Included in Time Magazine's World's 100 Most Influential People list (2014).
Opened/expanded Céline flagship stores including London
Under Philo Céline expanded retail (new flagship openings including London in 2014, and boutiques in Paris, Chengdu, Tokyo, New York, Las Vegas).
Joan Didion photographed for Céline ad campaign
Juergen Teller photographed writer Joan Didion for Céline's 2015 campaign — notable for Philo's non-traditional casting.
SS17 show staged inside Dan Graham glass pavilion (Paris Fashion Week)
For Céline's Spring/Summer 2017 collection, Philo collaborated with artist Dan Graham to create a glass S-shaped pavilion where the runway show took place (showed in 2016).
Céline reached estimated ~$900M annual sales (end of tenure milestone)
Analysts estimated Céline generated roughly $900 million in annual sales by the time of Philo's exit in 2017.
Announced departure from Céline
Announced to her team in 2017 she would be leaving Céline after Pre-Fall 2018 collection; departure widely reported in late 2017.
Reported stepping down from Céline (press confirmation)
Press reported Philo stepping down from Céline around January 2018 after earlier announcement.
Took hiatus from fashion
Following departure from Céline, Philo stepped away from the fashion industry for several years.
Announced return: launching eponymous label with LVMH minority stake
Announced she would launch a brand under her own name; Philo and her husband majority owners, LVMH a minority shareholder (deal reported July 2021).
Established brand headquarters in Ladbroke Grove, London
Phoebe Philo brand's headquarters located in Ladbroke Grove (reported with the launch).
Launched Instagram and digital-first plans
Phoebe Philo brand launched an Instagram account and announced a digital-first debut planned for September (reported Feb 9, 2023).
Launched eponymous label — debut edit A1 (site launch)
Debut collection/edit A1 launched exclusively on phoebephilo.com on 30 October 2023; widely described as 'quiet luxury'.
Public and critical recognition continuation
Ongoing press coverage and critical acclaim for the eponymous brand; continued references to Philo as a defining modern designer.
Daughter Maya closed Burberry AW24 show
Philo's eldest daughter Maya Wigram closed Burberry's AW24 runway in Feb 2024 — widely reported and described by NYT as a 'nepo baby' example.
Exclusive distribution deal with Bergdorf Goodman
Brand started an exclusive distribution deal with Bergdorf Goodman in April 2024.
Expanded wholesale distribution & brick-and-mortar rollout
Brand expanded distribution beyond DTC in 2024: 10 Corso Como Milan, Dover Street Market London & Paris, Maxfield and Neiman Marcus LA, The Webster Miami; reports of brick-and-mortar wholesale initiatives (noted Sep 4, 2024).
Key Achievement Ages
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