The Jewish Museum’s latest exhibition celebrates the visionary Jewish entrepreneur Gaby Aghion (1921-2014) and her role as the founder of the renowned French fashion house, Chloé. The exhibition sheds light on Chloé’s 70-year history, featuring around 150 garments and previously unseen sketches and documents from the Chloé Archive. In addition to emphasizing Aghion’s concept of effortless, luxurious fashion, and highlights the work of iconic designers like Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, and Phoebe Philo, who began their careers at Chloé.

The exhibition highlights Aghion as a trailblazing figure whose contributions reshaped the international fashion landscape. She played a pivotal role in liberating women’s bodies from the constricting fashions of her era while also leading the way in the development of luxury ready-to-wear.

The exhibition is complemented by a beautifully illustrated catalog meticulously designed by Joseph Logan and jointly published by the Jewish Museum and Yale University Press. This catalog features fresh and exclusive photographs by Julien T. Hamon, along with insightful essays that delve into the life and achievements of Aghion and the dynamic history of Chloé under various designers. These essays are contributed by Choghakate Kazarian, Alexis Romano, Camille Kovalevsky, and Kristina Parsons.

Mood of the moment: Gaby Aghion and the House of Chloé is on view at the Jewish Museum from October 13, 2023, through February 18, 2024.