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As France's oldest couture house, Lanvin has become synonymous with an elegant, timeless
femininity since Jeanne Lanvin launched the brand in 1889. With a love of far-flung cultures
and exoticism, Jeanne indulged in travel, fine art and other worldly pursuits throughout
her incredible life.
Jeanne's career in design began with millinery and then dressmaking; the latter earned her
exceptional repute among the wealthy elite. Credited for designing the first flapper dresses
of the Roaring Twenties, Jeanne was inspired by the period's Art Deco movement for her
clean, floor-sweeping evening dresses. Her sophisticated aesthetic charmed a throng
of famous followers, including Marlene Dietrich and Jean Cocteau. Jeanne died in 1946 and
left her beloved daughter Marguerite to take over the family business.
Since 2001, the house of Lanvin has been revived under the artistic direction of designers
Alber Elbaz for womenswear and Lucas Ossendrijver for menswear. They have both
received critical acclaim for their interpretations of Jeanne's artistic legacy.
femininity since Jeanne Lanvin launched the brand in 1889. With a love of far-flung cultures
and exoticism, Jeanne indulged in travel, fine art and other worldly pursuits throughout
her incredible life.
Jeanne's career in design began with millinery and then dressmaking; the latter earned her
exceptional repute among the wealthy elite. Credited for designing the first flapper dresses
of the Roaring Twenties, Jeanne was inspired by the period's Art Deco movement for her
clean, floor-sweeping evening dresses. Her sophisticated aesthetic charmed a throng
of famous followers, including Marlene Dietrich and Jean Cocteau. Jeanne died in 1946 and
left her beloved daughter Marguerite to take over the family business.
Since 2001, the house of Lanvin has been revived under the artistic direction of designers
Alber Elbaz for womenswear and Lucas Ossendrijver for menswear. They have both
received critical acclaim for their interpretations of Jeanne's artistic legacy.
We take a privileged peek inside Jeanne Lanvin's historic
office space on 22 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris.
office space on 22 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris.
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EUGÈNE PRINTZ. The furniture designer and decorative artist was tasked with the job of furnishing Jeanne's office in the 1930s. Printz's creations were individual, sentient things and Jeanne's desk exemplified his belief in both movement and practicality.
PHOTO: Roger Viollet/Getty Images
PHOTO: Roger Viollet/Getty Images
PHOTO: Roger Viollet/Getty Images
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GLOBAL INSPIRATION. Jeanne's library was full of textiles, beading and embroidery swatches, old costumes and garments from different cultures. Think African tunics, Persian Kalamkari robes and Venetian lace collars. Her favourite source of inspiration was the Orient, specifically Japonisme, and she adored Chinese and Japanese ceremonial robes.
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PRINTED MATTER. In addition to her sartorial inspirations and bound volumes of swatches, buttons and trims, Jeanne also collected antique illustrations of plants and animals, sketches and antique maps.
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PERSONAL TREASURES. Every single book belonging to Jeanne bore a specific decorative ex libris or bookplate with the Lanvin logo — a woman and child holding hands.
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The original photograph of Jeanne and her daughter Marguerite, which Lanvin's logo is based on, 1907.
The original drawing of "La femme & l'enfant" by Paul Iribe, 1921.
Throughout the years, the Lanvin logo was found on all of the brand's lifestyle products, including the bottle of its signature perfume, Arpège, 1927.
Throughout the years, the Lanvin logo was found on all of the brand's lifestyle products, including the bottle of its signature perfume, Arpège, 1927.
Lanvin's packaging from the 1920's prominently featured the logo.
The logo also appeared on Lanvin's official letterhead, 1935.
Jeanne also had dolls made in similar fashion to the Lanvin logo for decorative use in the store's windows.
A gouache painting of the 1920's from the house of Lanvin.
"The Woman and the Child."
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See the story
Alber Elbaz knows how to tell a story. As the artistic director of Lanvin's womenswear, he's been charming the fashion industry with his charismatic spirit, to-die-for dresses and fashion narratives.
Here, we highlight the quirky moments that helped make the designer, formerly known as Albert, as he continues to lead the world of fashion in his tux jacket, too-short trousers and signature bow tie…
Alber was born in Casablanca in 1961 and later moved to Tel Aviv to study fashion at Shenkar College. His mother observed that Alber began sketching women
at the age of five.
at the age of five.
It's no secret that Alber has always adored women,
"I love women, you know at Lanvin I think we're 95% women… I worship you all, I love you and I try to make sure you have enough of what you need."
"I love women, you know at Lanvin I think we're 95% women… I worship you all, I love you and I try to make sure you have enough of what you need."
When Alber moved to New York City at 24, he changed his name from 'Albert' to 'Alber,' so that the Americans could pronounce his name correctly. Dropping the 't' meant everything, "In Judaism, when you change your name, you change your destiny," Alber said. Soon after, Alber began working with American fashion designer Geoffrey Beene, one of the greatest influencers of his life.
When Alber moved to Paris in 1996, he worked for
Guy Laroche and Yves Saint Laurent, before landing at Lanvin in 2001. Now, he proclaims that he is happily married to Jeanne, "Happy marriages are usually when they're about two, not one!"
Guy Laroche and Yves Saint Laurent, before landing at Lanvin in 2001. Now, he proclaims that he is happily married to Jeanne, "Happy marriages are usually when they're about two, not one!"
A hypochondriac, Alber once dreamt of being a doctor and enrolling in medical school. But, he thought
"10 years is too long to train and become a doctor."
"10 years is too long to train and become a doctor."
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See which starlets have dazzled in Lanvin for
their paparazzi moments this year…
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FOR AUTUMN/WINTER 2010
Watch our exclusive video from backstage at Lanvin…
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