Archivist Presents An A-Z Of Chloé

Archivist was founded in 2012 by Jane Howard and Michael Harrison, with aims to generate conversation around the possibilities of an archive. In exploring this ‘museological dilemma’, Archivist places value on showcasing and reinterpreting fashion collections. The decision to prohibit adverts enables their approach to be inspirational rather than aspirational, establishing a platform that honors a purer form of creativity. These principles can be vividly perceived in their issue ‘Archivist Chloé. A-Z’, which presents a new interpretation of historic pieces in the collection of Maison Chloé. Photographed by Julien T. Hamon and styled by Howard, staples of Chloé’s archive appear in a new contemporary context. The images are laid out in double page spreads and formats reminiscent of journal collages, encouraging new narratives to form around iconic garments. In a statement about the publication’s ethos, Professor Judith Clark explains, “Archivist does not sell clothing, and it especially does not sell the new. What will unfold over the coming issues will be the different ways the past can be retrieved and celebrated and how various the ways are.”