When the Chloé Paddington first launched in 2005 under Phoebe Philo, it instantly became one of the most recognizable «it-bags» of the decade. Its slouchy leather body, chunky hardware, and oversized padlock gave it a distinctive personality that set it apart from the sleek minimalism of other luxury handbags.
After quietly disappearing from Chloé’s collections for years, the Paddington is finally back under the creative vision of Chemena Kamali. Its return is more than just a reissue, it’s a revival of an icon. Personally speaking, it’s not about rediscovering it, it’s about celebrating the fact that I never let it go. Taking it out again feels like reconnecting with an old friend that somehow looks even better today.
I gave mine a little twist and added a bag charm from the new collection to give the icon a modern update: Paddington leather shoulder bag (from 2005) and shearling and gold-tone charm (from 2025).
«Sometimes the best way to stay ahead of the trend is simply to hold on to the right pieces.»
So for those who held onto their original, now is the perfect time to bring it out of the closet and enjoy the fact that it feels just as relevant today as it did two decades ago.
For younger fashion lovers, the comeback offers something different: the chance to buy into a piece of early-2000s nostalgia at exactly the moment when Y2K style is everywhere again. The era’s influence is dominating runways and the Paddington fits right into that wave.
What makes this revival so powerful is its authenticity. Chloé hasn’t tried to reinvent the wheel, the Paddington comes back true to its essence, reminding us that some designs never really go out of style. In a world where trends move at lightning speed, the Paddington’s return proves that true icons only step aside until the time is right to shine again. And for those of us who kept ours, that moment has arrived.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht and Courtesy of Chloé
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