We've got our first glimpse of Angelina Jolie's new brand Atelier Jolie – a fashion-focused initiative with a difference. The actress' first project will be in collaboration with Chloé; Jolie and the brand's former creative director Gabriela Hearst have co-designed a capsule collection, which will be available to shop in January.
Taking inspiration from Jolie's own red-carpet style, the collection fuses "fluid, feminine silhouettes with graceful fabrics" and is focused on eveningwear. It "has a timeless appeal that serves a deeper purpose: celebrating authentic women-to-women connections."
We can expect sleek dresses, relaxed tailoring, timeless outerwear and layering pieces, all combining Chloé's signature feminine aesthetic and conscious craftsmanship, with Jolie's minimalist style. Atelier Jolie references some of the actress' most treasured pieces in her wardrobe, such as a white cotton dress she wore as a child – today given new life as a top – as well as a black velvet cape she's held onto for decades. The collection boasts a largely neutral colour palette, and is designed to cater for a diverse range of skin tones, sizing and body types.
In keeping with Hearst's sustainability credentials, the Atelier Jolie collection incorporates deadstock and natural fabrics, such as organic silk, crepe de chine and certified wool. The collection is made from at least 80 per cent lower-impact materials, a higher percentage than any previous collections from Chloé, a B Corp-certified fashion house.
"Very few luxury brands are a certified B Corp," said Jolie of her decision to collaborate with the brand. "It was important to me to work with Chloé, one of the first luxury brands to be a B Corp. It has been a privilege to design with Gabriela Hearst, and I hope all women will feel comfortable and beautiful in this capsule collection."
In line with the mission of Atelier Jolie, which aims to democratise the fashion industry and shine a light on those behind the scenes, at least 50 per cent of the collection will showcase the work of artisans from a Fair Trade enterprise, and will spotlight female-led social enterprises. The scallop-mesh embroidery made for its white cotton tank top was developed in partnership with the Paris-based initiative, La Fabrique Nomade. It provides professional inclusion for refugee and migrant artisans living in France. Jolie's earnings from this collaboration will also be invested in establishing apprenticeships for Atelier Jolie's tailors and artisans.
"From the moment I heard about Angelina’s vision for Atelier Jolie, I believed in it," Hearst says. "It is a way to elevate others through the beauty of garment-making and her deep respect for the environment."
The Chloé x Atelier Jolie collection will be available at Chloé boutiques and online at Chloe.com from the beginning of January 2024.
