It was the fashion drop of the year. This week, designer Phoebe Philo dropped her highly anticipated debut collection to much buzz and fanfare. The assortment—called “confident and uncompromising” by Vogue’s Sarah Mower—played up Philo’s stealthy-chic aesthetic, and nodded back to some of the signatures that she helped define while at the helm of Celine (from 2008 to 2017). There were luxurious leather bags, structured outerwear and tops, playful jewelry, and of course, some delicious square-toe shoes.
As the collection began circulating online, most fashion fans approved of said sleek, modern pieces. Many also discussed the jaw-dropping prices. Philo’s new oversized XL Cabas tote bag, for one, goes for $8,500, while the hand-combed embroidered coat didn’t even have a price listed. Even so, that didn’t stop devoted Philophiles from investing in certain wardrobe staples: In fact, many of the items on Philo’s website are now completely sold out.
However, plenty of lucky shoppers were able to secure the bag (literally), and Vogue was instantly intrigued about why these pieces clearly resonated so much. So, below, we sought out eight Philophiles to learn more about what they thought of the drop, and what they were and weren’t able to shop.
Rickie De Sole — Women’s fashion director, Nordstrom
I bought these pumps and glad I did, as they’re now sold out! I was motivated to get these mostly by the feeling that I just had to buy something from Phoebe’s first collection! I still love and wear so many of my Phoebe-for-Celine shoes, and was excited to get a new iteration of them after so long. The unexpected toe shape makes them unlike anything else I own, and they look like they’ll pair well with the many trousers in my wardrobe. I am tracking the delivery closely!
Jenna Lyons — Real Housewife and founder of LoveSeen
[I didn’t get anything]. I am traumatized and have a support group chat. I just wanted to get the white jeans, a shirt, and maybe some leather. And my dreams were dashed.
Noora Raj Brown — EVP of brand, Goop
I was in such a state of panic (my text messages were all filled with “my bag is a blank screen” or “the site is crashing and I need the mushroom suit”) that I placed three different orders in fear I’d never be able to check out again. I bought the heeled loafer in brown, which felt (sort of?) practical, the silver sphere necklace, the classic black square-toe pump, and the drop jeans. I feel like silver is having a comeback and the long necklace and sphere, with its barely there etching, gave it a little punk twist. The classic black pumps with elongated toe reminded me of an early Philo style that I fell in love with years ago. And, as a friend I saw later for drinks said, “Obviously, they know we need elevated basics even more expensive than The Row.”
Edward Barsamian — Editorial director, the Michelin Guide
A lot of what I wanted sold out. But I’m definitely going to get some of the trousers, the Bombé sunglasses (in black), and a few of the tops (love the asymmetric one and the high-neck top).
Lauren Sherman — Fashion correspondent, Puck
Sherman wrote in her newsletter, Line Sheet,: “I bought the Gig bag—a sort of expanded, evolved version of the Celine trio—and a cotton poplin shirt. Not that I need to explain myself to you, but I haven’t bought a new, full-priced designer bag since 2016. (The Row’s Sideby.) I’ve wanted to buy a new bag for a couple of years, and this was exactly what I needed: not too small, not too big, and no dumb gold-embossed logo on the front.”
Julia Hobbs — Acting European fashion features director, British Vogue, and senior fashion projects editor, Vogue Club
I bought the long trench coat in black, the padded trench coat in dark brown, and the soft square-toe pump 90. When the email notification that the site was live hit my inbox, I moved fast. At first, too fast, because I was having issues with spelling my own name in the log-in form. I spent the next five minutes pacing my flat, holding my laptop midair, while cursing the Wi-Fi under my breath (it was the sheer traffic on the site, right?).
I wanted all the trousers (that archive Philo silhouette), I wanted the charcoal knit sweater (to wear knotted over the crisp shirt), and then I saw the trench coats. I reached the checkout. The site reloaded twice more. Then I received the “is this you being completely irresponsible on a Monday afternoon?” text from my bank. Yes, it was me. I want to be swaddled in Phoebe Philo.
Amanda Baron — SVP and senior relationship manager, First Eagle Investment Management
I was too slow [to get anything]! Distracted by work. I love the Gig bag, but it is long gone. The XL Cabas is too large for me (I’m short). I like a lot of the trousers and jackets, but I don’t think I could pull any of them off.
Tamu McPherson — Founder, All the Pretty Birds
I am a super Philo fan but didn’t buy anything from this drop. I’m an outerwear appassionato, so I would have gotten a coat for sure and some trousers. Probably the dress and skirts with the zips. And the Mum/Mu necklace.
