Living in Las Vegas with her vivacious partner, famed magician David Copperfield, “Sin City” is where shoe designer Chloe Gosselin is most productive. While Copperfield bangs out 15 shows a week in the entertainment capital of the world, Chloe retreats to her office to sketch, colour and design.
17 October, 2018
Creating modern mules from vintage-inspired pieces, old-school glamour and exoticism fuse at the buckle. From those distinctive buckles to Chloe's signature crescent motif - "it started with this custom print we made of flowers that were bathed by moonlight, the crescent also recalls the C of my name, Chloe" - sculptural shapes are central to her work.
Launching her line in 2014, two years later Chloe Gosselin was a finalist for the prestigious CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund prize as well as Vogue Italia's The New Talents showcase. Accolades aside, Chloe is about the simple things. Most inspired by nature and the strong female forces that surround her, Vegas seems at odds with the sophisticated designer, but beyond the strip the real Vegas is an enigmatic entity all of its own.
My favourite thing about Las Vegas is the desert that surrounds us. Our home is like a little crazy oasis in the middle of these incredible mountains, with unusual rock formations and gigantic lakes. This terrain has been a big inspiration to me - from textures to shapes, I'm always inspired by nature.
I think the farm neighbourhood where I keep my horse, Milo. It is about 20 minutes away from the strip but it is vividly green with fields and trees, bisons, cows and, of course, horses.
Somewhere in Summerlin with a view of the mountains.
My absolute favourite place is Flower Child in Summerlin. Local, super healthy and dogs are welcome.
Honey and Salt in Summerlin and Partage in Chinatown.
Rose Rabbit Lie at the Cosmopolitan; it's a supper club dishing up reinvented American classics with a side serving of live performances.
There is a little piano bar in downtown Las Vegas called Don't Tell Mama where people can sing along with a live pianist; it's a must.
Park on Fremont.
It is pretty warm most of the year so summer dresses and great flats are best.
Crystals is great for shopping and the Bellagio has some great art exhibits.
David's museum. It holds all the history of magic and it's artefacts - can't get more magical than that.
Start your day with a hike at Red Rock Canyon and make sure to visit the Hoover Dam. Book dinner at Joel Robuchon at MGM and if you're looking for a show, the hilarious Absinthe is always a safe bet. For something a little different, head to Downtown Vegas, which has some superb art galleries and great little restaurants like Park or Carson Kitchen; both are definitely worth trying.
Crystals, the Wynn or the Palazzo for luxury shopping and downtown Vegas for cute little vintage stores.
The Smith Center is great for Broadway shows and ballet performances.
Mainly museums. The Springs Preserve, focuses on nature in Las Vegas; the Neon Museum holds all the old Vegas signs from back in the day; and the Nuclear Museum, which documents the period when nuclear testing was carried out in the desert is remarkable. People used to hold raucous viewing parties at the top of hotels to watch the nuclear mushrooms -pretty scary.
Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, Mount Charleston, Death Valley and Zion National Park.
Visit Seven Magic Mountains, an artwork by Ugo Rondidone south of the city.
Pictures of memorable moments in the desert.
An edited version of my collection - my go-to flat, Gloria, my essential Lily pumps and my chunky friend the Delphinium. I tend to pack easy summer dresses by Ganni, some vintage pieces by Alaïa or Ossie Clark and Joanna Vargas. For skincare, it's always Drunk Elephant or Tata Harper.
