Ralph Toledano

>> In recent years, Hakaan, Giles Deacon, and Gareth Pugh have all been awarded the ANDAM Prize — the largest international fashion prize of its kind — and as a result moved their fashion shows to Paris. Who will be next? The 2011 nominees have just been announced, and include Adam Kimmel, Anthony Vaccarello, Commuun, Jeremy Laing, Matthew Harding, and Yiqing Yin. The 22 jury members — which this year include Pierre Berge, Delfine Arnault, Emmanuelle Alt, Humberto Leon, Sarah Lerfel, and Hilary Alexander, will meet on June 28 to select the 2011 prize winner, who will receive 200,000 euros (approx. $282,000); a donation of 10,000 euros ($14,100) worth of Swarovski crystals for their Spring 2012 collection; and mentorship by former Chloe CEO Ralph Toledano for two seasons on creative and commercial development. [Filep Motwary]

>> Earlier this week came reports that this season — Fall 2011 — may be Hannah MacGibbon's last for Chloe. And although the label denied it, Cathy Horyn writes: "I feel sorry for Hannah MacGibbon of Chloé. No, she did not have a good collection — too much snakeskin, poor styling, no standout accessories. Reports are that her contract has not been renewed. But a year ago, Ms. MacGibbon was a hit maker and women were again craving Chloé. Maybe the firing last summer of her boss, Ralph Toledano, led to changes that affected her. I don’t know. But knowing what she was able to accomplish in the past, with help, it’s hard to hold her solely to blame for what appeared on the Chloé runway." [NY Times]

>> WWD confirms yesterday's rumors that Ralph Toledano, Chloe's well-respected and popular chairman and CEO since 1999, is no longer with the firm. Although when reached for comment, Toledano said, "We never comment on rumors," sources told WWD that Toledano recently left the company, shaking the house roughly a month before Paris Fashion Week.

Why did he leave? »

>> Rumor: Ralph Toledano Out at Chloe? —Just over the weekend, Cathy Horyn wrote: "Chloe’s real success has been due to Ralph Toledano, its CEO for the past decade." And Ron Frasch, president and chief merchandising officer of Saks, echoed that sentiment, crediting Toledano with understanding all the steps it took to rebuild Chloe as a brand. But is there unforeseen turmoil at Chloe? This morning, a rumor hit Twitter: "Woah: Chloe parent Richemont has ousted its industry-beloved CEO Ralph Toledano, the man who pretty much made the French label a success." [@jimshi809]

UPDATE: Toledano was reportedly given the boot this week after Richemont became impatient with Chloe's poor financial results, according to sources close to the situation. The brand has struggled to become profitable in recent years, and announcement of Toledano's departure is expected shortly. It is unclear whether Chloe has a replacement in the pipeline. [NY Post]

>> Cathy Horyn traces the faltering house of Ungaro and the resignation of former Ungaro CEO Mounir Moufarrige (the man responsible for hiring Lindsay Lohan), in the latest T magazine.

Three designers left under Moufarrige's reign, starting with Peter Dundas; tension reportedly built between the two when Moufarrige interfered with the creative side, Horyn reports: "The stylist George Cortina, who worked at Ungaro with Dundas, said, 'It was the worst experience I can remember,' recalling a 2 am scene when he warned Moufarrige, whom he found rearranging Dundas’s show lineup, that he would be thrown out a window if he continued meddling."

Moufarrige also said that Anna Wintour approved of appointing Lindsay Lohan »