Welcome to Fashion Flashbacka vogue historical past column that does deep dives on It-items, eras, or massive vogue moments of the previous. How did probably the most iconic objects in vogue come to be? And why do they nonetheless enchantment to vogue followers in every single place all these years later? Today we take a look at the Chloé Paddington bag, a ceaselessly It-bag that was first launched in 2005 and was simply relaunched this week.
Back in 2006, I used to be in High School and shopping for padlocks to connect to luggage the best way folks do with Labubus in 2025.
Let me clarify.
The padlock was not one thing I ever thought a lot about. It jogged my memory of the {hardware} my grandfather would use to lock up a shed in his yard in Queens. I by no means in my life thought I’d ever contemplate one thing like that fascinating, by no means the much less, put on it out in public as a vogue assertion. But on Tumblr, the place I spent most nights, I couldn’t escape the pictures of Chloe’s Paddington bag. The It bag of the time had simply launched in 2005 and in contrast to different standing objects of the second, it did not actually characteristic a flashy emblem. You simply knew a Chloe Paddington bag from the massive chunky padlock. I by no means actually checked out my grandfather’s storage safety or a motorbike lock the identical approach once more. To me, the padlock did not characterize utility. It represented the form of cool woman standing I so desperately yearned for.
The Paddington bag making her debut on the Chloe Spring/Summer 2005.
(Image credit score: Getty Images)
The bag’s main padlock had but to turn into a standing image.
(Image credit score: Getty Images)
Phoebe Phillo, who was Chloe’s artistic director from 2001 to 2006, debuted the bag on the Spring/Summer 2005 present. The bag had a curved, slouchy form with brief handles and that iconic Padlock within the heart.
Quickly thereafter it was noticed on the arms of celebrities in every single place like Sienna Miller, Diane Kruger, Michelle Trachtenberg, and Paris Hilton. But possibly extra notable than it is well-known followers had been it is vogue followers. At the entrance row of reveals in every single place—not simply Chloe’s—fashionable tastemakers opted for the Paddington bag. Wannabe teenagers like myself frantically added photographs of them with their Paddingtons to their moodboards, hoping to sooner or later personal a bit of vogue historical past like them. In the meantime, a few of us, fixated on padlocks. But the reality is the bag itself as a complete was it. No matter how delusional I wished to be, including the {hardware} to a special bag would by no means come near replicating the Paddington magic.
Michelle Trachtenberg with the Chloe paddington bag.
(Image credit score: Getty Images)
Diane Kruger with the Paddington bag whereas at a Chloe present in 2005.
(Image credit score: Getty Images)
Years went on and different It luggage of the 2000s emerged. The Paddington was nonetheless noticed in vogue circles, after all. But it wasn’t till the latest on-line classic obsession fueled by Gen Z’s need to domesticate a extra attention-grabbing and distinctive private model that it began to actually reemerge. Then in January of this 12 months, Rachel Sennott, considered one of 2025’s reigning It women, was noticed on the Sundance Film Festival sporting a classic shearling trimmed D&G coat with a classic beige Chloe Paddington bag. When I noticed the picture, it was like seeing an ex I by no means received over.
Shortly after the Paddington bag launched, it could possibly be noticed at each Chloe runway present’s entrance row.
(Image credit score: Getty Images)
(Image credit score: Rachel Sennott on the Sundance movie competition in Janauary, sporting a classic D&G shearling lined suede coat and classic Chloe paddington bag to match.)
Online I witnessed newer, youthful vogue followers going right into a frenzy over the bag, of which a few of them had been simply turning into acquainted with. Suddenly, it was unattainable to seek out one on The Real Real. Thankfully Chemena Kamali, Chloe’s present artistic director, introduced it out of the vault for the Fall/Winter 2025 present.
(Image credit score: Courtesy of Chloe)
The Paddington reappearing on the Chloe Fall/Winter 2025 present.
(Image credit score: Courtesy of Chloe)
(Image credit score: Courtesy of Chloe)
It was seen on the runway, held by fashions like Alexa Chung, styled with the stuff of 2000s Boho Chic desires, like fuzzy tail bag charms and flowing lace-trimmed attire. New swaths of well-known followers now personal the bag like Laufey, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Doechii. And as anticipated, it is simply as iconic as ever.
Daisy-Edgar Jones wanting stylish as hell along with her Chloe Paddington bag.
(Image credit score: Courtesy of Chloe)
(Image credit score: Courtesy of Chloe)
And Doechii doing the identical.
(Image credit score: Courtesy of Chloe)
And now it’s formally again, having relaunched earlier this week with a marketing campaign starring Aimee Lou Wood, Kendall Jenner and Meovv’s Anna. The photographs, shot by David Sims in black and white, are additionally simply as Tumblr-reminiscent of the baggage themselves.
Kendall Jenener starring within the newest Chloe Paddington marketing campaign.
(Image credit score: Courtesy of Chloe)
Aimee Lou Wood starring within the newest Chloe Paddington marketing campaign.
(Image credit score: Courtesy of Chloe)
Anna starring within the newest Chloe Paddington marketing campaign.
(Image credit score: Courtesy of Chloe)
I truly was fortunate sufficient to get my hand on a brand new Chloe Paddington bag in a plum purple shade a pair weeks in the past. Holding it felt like hugging my youthful self who by no means thought she’d ever be able to jot down this ode to one of the vital definitive It objects of her childhood; by no means the much less truly maintain one. And it was precisely as transcendent as I anticipated.
For me, the magic of the bag is in its weight. It is sort of actually weighed down by the hefty padlock. But there’s one thing so satisfying about holding the bag and listening to the padlock clink towards the supple leather-based. It’s not the form of bag you toss over your shoulder and neglect about. It’s the form of bag that you’re very conscious of being current with. And in an period the place it is really easy to be checked out or scrolling, it feels good to carry one thing that reminds you of the life you are residing. When I used to be holding the Chloe Paddington bag, I used to be conscious of my environment—and the envious glares of those that acknowledged the bag.
Here I’m holding the Chloe Paddington as if it’s a new child youngster.
And after all it solely felt proper to put on the bag with look 42 from the Fall/Winter 2025 present.
The Paddington bag can be an ideal 2025 It-bag as a result of it encapsulates a lot of what everybody desires proper now. With its chunky charms, it already comes adorned with the form of persona folks attempt to add on to their luggage. It additionally has the wealthy storytelling historical past that pulls so many to classic. And it is slouchy form provides it that cool worn-in ease folks actually scuff up their luggage deliberately for nowadays.
My life lengthy dream of holding the Chloe paddington, lastly achieved.
And so now I’m lastly an grownup who can personal the bag of her desires. But I’m additionally sure that the most recent rerelease of the Paddington may also usher in a complete new period of younger vogue followers who will lengthy dream of it like I as soon as did; and possibly put money into a padlock attraction or two within the meantime whereas they await their Paddington second.