Chloe: Back to the Future?

Ralph Toledano, the C.E.O. of Chloe, has hired one of former designer Phoebe Philo's chief lieutenants, Hanna MacGibbon, to take the reins of the brand. It was a wise move. Although Phoebe's replacement, Paulo, was given only three seasons to prove his mettle, it was clear from the onset that his vision -- while not unattractive -- was not the right one for the Chloe label. Under Phoebe, Chloe became one of those rare brands that real women and fashionistas loved equally. The real women flocked the stores for trousers, handbags and the odd pretty blouse. Fashionistas went for the dramatic platform shoes and the quirky but beautiful dresses. At Paulo's Chloe the bags were, well, just plain bad. And while there was a pretty dress or two, they were complicated things that were not easy for anyone to wear. This season he won raves for the leaf and vine adorned shoes he showed, but a brand is not built on shoes alone. Paulo certainly deserves a shot at another label, but for this one I think Toledano made the right move by swiftly replacing him with one of Phoebe's old co-workers before all the Chloe customers lost faith.