Taking the Reins At Chloe

By Betsy Kroll

EVER SINCE DESIGNER Phoebe Philo announced her departure from Chloe in January, members of the fashion world have been gripping their metallic Paddington bags in anticipation of who would be her successor. (When Philo left, her design team soldiered on for two seasons under the direction of head designer Yvan Mispelaere, who is leaving to join Gucci.) The Chloe reins now go to Swedish-born, Milan-based Paulo Melim Andersson, 34, formerly design director of the popular Italian label Marni. Melim Andersson has big shoes to fill: under Philo's direction, Chloe became one of fashion's hottest brands, spurring mile-long wait lists for such must-have items as the Betty handbag and chunky stack-heel boots. Melim Andersson's first collection for Chloe will debut in Paris in March 2007.