LEGENDARY fashion house Lanvin bloomed from one mother’s love for her daughter. Since then, the rise and rise of Lanvin has encompassed some of the most celebrated collections and fragrances of the last century. Today Lanvin continues to build on a fashion legacy that never fails to inspire.
A fashion empire is born. Image courtesy of Lanvin
1889
A fashion empire is born. Jean Lanvin, founder of Lanvin, former millinery apprentice, decides to set up her own business and opens a milliner’s boutique in Paris. Over the next years, Lanvin will become one of the most influential designers of the 1920s and ‘30s, head of a brand that will cement her name in Fashion history for ever.
Jean Lanvin, founder of Lanvin. Image courtesy of Lanvin
1897
Lanvin’s daughter Marguerite Marie Blanche is born. Marguerite Marie Blanche becomes Lanvin’s muse and inspiration. The beautiful dresses that Lanvin makes for her daughter quickly attract the attention of a number of wealthy mothers. And soon Lanvin is making dresses for the mothers too, as well as their children.
Marguerite Marie Blanche Lanvin daughter of Jean and her main inspiration. Image courtesy of Lanvin
1924
By the 1920s, Lanvin is an accredited member of the Syndicat de la Couture with a growing number of shops for young ladies and women. In 1924 Lanvin Parfums SA is launched. The celebrated classic fragrance, Arpège would be launched three years later in 1927, inspired by the sound of Lanvin’s daughter practising scales on the piano.
Montana for Lanvin. Photography by Patrice Stable. Image courtesy of Thames & Hudson. Image courtesy of Lanvin
1950
Following the death of Jean Lanvin in 1946, Antonio Canovas del Castillo designs the House’s collections for women. In doing so he begins a golden reign of Lanvin designers that over the next five decades alone will include the likes of Claude Montana and Jules-François Crahay and a successful array of award winning collections.
Shaw Lan Wang buys Lanvin in 2001 and heralds a new era for the house. Image courtesy of Lanvin
2001
Chinese philanthropist and businesswoman Shaw Lan Wang buys Lanvin, and Alber Elbaz becomes head designer [he stepped down in 2015]. Elbaz’s first collection for Lanvin, showcasing the Autumn/Winter 2002 collection, is a resounding success with both the press and the professionals.
Today the Lanvin brand continues to shine. This year Lanvin opened stores in Los Angeles, Milano, Bologna, Moscow, Beijing, Shanghai, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and pop-up stores in Saint Tropez and Malibu for spring and summer. Lanvin looks set to build on its rich fashion history long into the future.
2016
In March, Bouchra Jarrar is announced as artistic director of women’s collections at the house.
All images courtesy of Lanvin
From the Glass Archive – Issue 8 – Faith
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