CREATIVE DIRECTOR, CÉLINE
PHOEBE PHILO
4 ABOUT PHOEBE PHILO
Phoebe Philo was born in 1973*, in Paris. Despite this, much of her youth was spent living in London.
INFLUENCES & ACHIEVEMENTS
Fresh out of design school, Philo became Stella McCartney’s first assistant at Chloé, later inheriting her job at the French brand. Five years later, Philo disappeared from the industry after becoming a mother. In 2008, Philo reappeared on the fashion scene, making her debut as Creative Director of Céline - a then-bland Parisian brand. She has since held the role for five years.
*exact date unknown
Philo describes her work as the result of a “woman working for women”. She is greatly influenced by the idea of a woman with a job and a family, yet who wants to remain fashion forward. In 2012, Philo became one of Vogue’s 120 biggest names in fashion under 45 — arguably her greatest achievement yet. She has also been awarded the Designer of the Year award at the BFAs. It is only a testament to Philo’s work that the high-waisted flared jeans she showed in spring 2003 sold out within a day of reaching stores.
1987 She begins customising her own clothes.
1973 Philo is born
Philo’s highest level of education was design school. She graduated from London’s prestigious Central Saint Martins college in 1996.
1997 Moves back to Paris to assist Stella McCartney at Chloé.
1996 Graduates college after brief work at various brands.
2006 She resigns at Chloé, to start a family.
2001 Philo lands the job at Chloe, replacing her former boss.
A BRIEF TIMELINE OF PHOEBE PHILO’S LIFE
2009 Debuts at Céline with great reviews.
5 CELEBRITIES IN PHOEBE PHILO’S DESIGNS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ANNA DELLO RUSSO (OF VOGUE JAPAN), KANYE WEST, CHRISTINE CENTENERA (OF VOGUE AUSTRALIA), PETRA NEMCOVA. ALL WEARING CÉLINE BY PHOEBE PHILO.
“PHOEBE PHILO” by NUSARDEL OSHANA COVER IMAGE via VOGUE.FR