Lanvin Group
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryFashion
Founded1889 (1889) in Paris, France
FounderJeanne Lanvin
Headquarters22 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, ,
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Joann Cheng
(Interim CEO)
Bruno Sialelli
(Creative Director)
ProductsApparel, accessories, perfume, jewelry
ParentLanvin Group[1]
Websitewww.lanvin.com
Footnotes / references
[2]

Lanvin (French: [lɑ̃vɛ̃]) is a French luxury fashion house based in Paris. Founded in 1889 by Jeanne Lanvin, it is the oldest French fashion house still in operation.[3] Since 2018, it has been a subsidiary of Shanghai-based Lanvin Group. Bruno Sialelli, a 31-year-old French designer, was named Creative Director of Lanvin in January 2019.

History

A November 1915 Lanvin design shown in the United States.

The House of Lanvin was named after its founder Jeanne Lanvin in 1889. Lanvin was born in 1867 and opened her first millinery shop in rue du Marche Saint Honore in 1885.[4][3]

Lanvin made clothes for her daughter, Marie-Blanche de Polignac, which began to attract the attention of a number of wealthy people, who requested copies for their own children. Soon, Lanvin was making dresses for their mothers,[5][3] which were included in the clientele of her new boutique on the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris. In 1909, Lanvin joined the Syndicat de la Couture, which marked her formal status as a couturière.

The Lanvin logo was inspired by a photograph taken for Jeanne Lanvin as she attended a ball with her daughter wearing matching outfits in 1907.[5][3] As stated by Alber Elbaz, “It's not a lion, and it's not a horse. It's a mother and a daughter, I find the logo very emotional."[3]

From 1923, the Lanvin empire included a dye factory in Nanterre.[6] In the 1920s, Lanvin opened shops devoted to home decor, menswear, furs and lingerie, but her most significant expansion was the creation of Lanvin Parfums SA in 1924. "My Sin", an animalic-aldehyde based on heliotrope, was introduced in 1925, and is widely considered a unique fragrance. It would be followed by her signature fragrance, Arpège, in 1927, said to have been inspired by the sound of her daughter's practising her scales on the piano.

After Jeanne Lanvin

When Lanvin died in 1946, ownership of the firm was ceded to her daughter Marguerite,[7] who had shared management of the firm from 1942 with a cousin and then a fashion-industry expert. Because Marie-Blanche de Polignac was childless when she died in 1958, the ownership of the House of Lanvin went to a cousin, Yves Lanvin.

From mid-1960s through to the 1996 takeover by L'Oreal, Lanvin was run by Bernard Lanvin. The export department was in the original factory in Nanterre where all the perfumes were made and bottled. The administrative Head Office was in Paris. In 1979, Lanvin bought its independence from Squibb USA and a major PR promotional tour was arranged by Paris in the United States in the same year.

Midland Bank bought a stake in the company from the family in March 1989, and installed Léon Bressler to revamp the firm's faded image. However, in February 1990, Midland backed out and sold Lanvin to Orcofi, a French holding company led by the Vuitton family. From Orcofi, 50% of the House of Lanvin was acquired by L'Oréal in 1994, 66% in 1995 and 100% in 1996. Under L'Oréal's diverse umbrella, an array of CEOs who circulate within the French fashion industry directed the company.

Majority owned by Harmonie S.A., 2001–2018

In August 2001, Lanvin [8] was taken private again by investor group Harmonie S.A., headed by Shaw-Lan Wang, a Taiwanese media magnate.[8] Wang bought out other investors in 2003.[9]

In 2005, Joix Corporatic became the Lanvin ready-to-wear licence holder in Japan with retail value of €50 million.[10] In Japan, Lanvin clothes are sold under a license owned by conglomerate Itochu, which held 5 percent in the company and in 2007 made an estimated $280 million in sales from Lanvin-branded clothes, more than the couture house made itself.[9] In 2007, Wang sold Lanvin's perfumes unit to France's Interparfums for 22 million euros, leaving the group without one of the traditional industry vehicles for brand development. That same year, Lanvin moved into profit for the first time in decades.[9]

On 4 December 2009, Lanvin opened their first US boutique in Bal Harbour, Florida.[11]

In 2011, Lanvin sales reached €203 million, not counting an estimated €4.5 million in revenues from licences.[8] In 2012, Lanvin realized a capital increase of 17.5 million euros as entrepreneur Ralph Bartel increased his stake to 25 percent from 12.5 percent.[12]

On 20 November 2013, Lanvin became the official tailor of Arsenal FC.[13]

On 28 October 2015, Lanvin announced that Elbaz was no longer at the company, due to differences of opinion with the shareholders. He was replaced by Bouchra Jarrar in March 2016. Jarrar left the following year and was succeeded by Olivier Lapidus, who departed on 23 March 2018, after only two seasons. Lapidus' successor was not named upon his exit.

Majority owned by Fosun, 2018–present

In February 2018, Shanghai-based conglomerate Fosun International became the controlling stakeholder in Lanvin[14] when it acquired shares worth €120 million from Wang and Ralph Bartel, who owned 75 per cent and 25 per cent of Arpège SAS, the holding company that owns the “Lanvin” name.[15] After the acquisition, Lanvin appointed Jean-Philippe Hecquet as CEO; Hecquet stepped down in March 2020 after only 18 months.[15] Joann Cheng, chairman of Lanvin's parent company and head of the board of directors of Lanvin, became interim CEO.[16] Fosun Fashion Group was renamed Lanvin Group in October 2021 as the company pursues acquisitions to build a global portfolio of luxury brands.[1] In 2023, Lanvin was listed on the New York Stock Exchange at a transaction value of $1.3 billion.[17]

Creative directors since 2001

Alber Elbaz

In October 2001, Alber Elbaz was appointed the Lanvin artistic director for all activities, including interiors. In 2006, he introduced new packaging for the fashion house, featuring a forget-me-not flower color, Lanvin's favorite shade which she purportedly saw in a Fra Angelico fresco (Suzy Menkes, 2005.). On 2 September 2010, it was announced by H&M that Lanvin would be their guest designer collaboration for the Winter 2010 collection.[8] The collection would be available to view beginning 4 November 2010 at HM.com. The collection would then be available to buy in 200 stores worldwide, on 20 November, with a first look sale the day before exclusively at the H&M store in Las Vegas.[18] The main face of the collection video was supermodel Natasha Poly.[19]

Lucas Ossendrijver

Lucas Ossendrijver

In 2006, Lucas Ossendrijver was appointed the head of the men's line. The 2006 men's ready-to-wear collection was inspired by a Jean-Luc Godard film. He launched the first LANVIN urban sneakers, now with their patent leather toe caps, while presenting his AW 2006 collections; the shoes later became available in women’s collections. While enjoying a revitalized reputation in luxury, Lanvin received mainstream press in the United States in May 2009 when Michelle Obama was photographed wearing a popular line of Lanvin's sneakers made of suede with grosgrain ribbon laces and metallic pink toe caps while volunteering at a Washington, D.C. food bank. The sneaker shoes were reportedly retailed at $540.[20]

Bouchra Jarrar

Bouchra Jarrar was appointed as Creative Director by Lanvin in March 2016.[21] In 2017, and with the preparation of only two ready-to-wear collections, Jarar stepped down from her position.[22] Upon her departure, Lanvin released the following statement: "Lanvin and Bouchra Jarrar have mutually decided to put an end to their collaboration".[23]

Bruno Sialelli

French designer Bruno Sialelli was named the new creative director of Lanvin in January 2019.[24] Lanvin revealed in a statement that Sialelli's appointment marks a "pivotal new direction".[25] Sialelli had worked with Jonathan Anderson at Spanish brand Loewe prior to the appointment and was presumed to be facing "great pressure to turn things around for the maison."[26]

Directors

  • 1946–1950, Lanvin's daughter Marie-Blanche de Polignac, owner and director
  • 1942–1950, Marie-Blanche's cousin Jean Gaumont-Lanvin (Colombes, 1908–Versailles, 1988), director general
  • 1950–1955, Daniel Gorin (Paris, 1891–Paris, 1972), director general
  • 1959, Marie-Blanche's cousin Yves Lanvin, owner; Madame Yves Lanvin, president.
  • 1989–1990, Léon Bressler, chairperson
  • 1990–1993, Michel Pietrini, chairperson
  • 1993–1995, Loïc Armand, chairperson
  • 1995–2001, Gérald Asaria, chairperson
  • 2001–2004, Jacques Lévy, director general[27]
  • 2021–today, Siddhartha Shukla, CEO[28]

Designers

  • 1946–1958: Marie-Blanche de Polignac, director general and designer
  • 1950–1963: Antonio del Castillo, women's collections
  • 1960–1980: Bernard Devaux, hats, scarves, haute couture; women's "Diffusions" line 1963–1980,
  • 1964–1984: Jules-François Crahay (Liège, 1917–1988), haute couture collections and "Boutique de Luxe"
  • 1972: Christian Benais, men's ready-to-wear collection
  • 1976–1991: Patrick Lavoix, men's ready-to-wear collections
  • 1981–1989: Maryll Lanvin, ready-to-wear, first haute couture in 1985 and women's "Boutique" collections
  • 1989–1990: Robert Nelissen, women's ready-to-wear collections
  • 1990–1992: Claude Montana, five haute-couture collections
  • 1990–1992: Eric Bergère, women's ready-to-wear collections
  • 1992–2001: Dominique Morlotti, women's and men's ready-to-wear collections
  • 1996–1998: Ocimar Versolato, women's ready-to-wear collections
  • 1998–2002: Cristina Ortiz, women's ready-to-wear collections
  • 2002–2015: Alber Elbaz, artistic director of all creative activities
  • 2003–2006: Martin Krutzki, designer of men's ready-to-wear
  • 2006–2018: Lucas Ossendrijver, men's collections
  • 2016–2017: Bouchra Jarrar, women's collections
  • 2017–2018: Olivier Lapidus, women's collections
  • 2018–2019: Estrella Archs, women's collections
  • 2019–2023: Bruno Sialelli, women's and men's collections[29]

References

  1. 1 2 "China's Fosun Fashion Group rebrands as Lanvin". Reuters. Milan, Italy. October 11, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  2. "Jeanne Lanvin S.A.: Private Company Information - Businessweek". Investing.businessweek.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 AnOther (2014-02-28). "The 10 Codes of Lanvin". AnOther. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  4. "Jeanne Lanvin (1867-1946)". The Business of Fashion. 2015-08-30. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
  5. 1 2 "The Heart-warming History of the Lanvin Logo". Harper's BAZAAR. 2014-05-21. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  6. "History of Haute Couture: Jeanne Lanvin". History of Fashion. 2011-11-05. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  7. "Lanvin life". The Economist. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Pilling, David (February 17, 2012). "Lunch with the FT: Shaw-Lan Wang". Financial Times. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
  9. 1 2 3 Astrid Wendlandt (29 September 2008), Fashion icon Lanvin in stake sale talks Reuters.
  10. Chevalier, Michel (2012). Luxury Brand Management. Singapore: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1-118-17176-9.
  11. "Lanvin Opens in Bal Harbour - Designer/Luxury - Retail". WWD.com. 2009-12-09. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
  12. Miles Socha (22 January 2012), Ralph Bartel Raises Stake in Lanvin Women's Wear Daily.
  13. "Arsenal welcomes Lanvin". Arsenal.com. 2013-11-20. Retrieved 2013-11-20.
  14. Hancock, Tom (2019-12-09). "Fosun banks on Chinese shoppers to revive fashion fortunes". ft.com. Retrieved 2019-12-09.
  15. 1 2 Annachiara Biondi (8 December 2022), Fosun-owned Lanvin’s future hangs by a thread Financial Times.
  16. Chong, Dale Arden (2020-03-17). "Lanvin CEO to step down after 18 months in position". fashionunited.com. Retrieved 2020-03-17.
  17. "Lanvin Group plots expansion in US, China following SPAC listing". Vogue Business. 2022-12-15. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  18. Drop whatever you are doing, Lanvin is coming to L.A. - The Daily Truffle - 8 November 2010 Archived December 22, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  19. "Lanvin for H&M - The Show (Promo 2011)". YouTube. 2010-11-02. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
  20. "First Lady Michelle Obama steps out in Lanvin sneakers and they're only $540!". NY Daily News. 2009-05-01. Archived from the original on 2010-08-15. Retrieved 2013-09-16.
  21. "Lanvin Confirms Bouchra Jarrar As Artistic Director". Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  22. Paton, Elizabeth (2017-07-06). "Bouchra Jarrar, Artistic Director at Lanvin, Is Out After 16 Months". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  23. "Bouchra Jarrar Is Leaving Lanvin". Vogue. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  24. Newbold, Alice (21 January 2019). "Bruno Sialelli Named As Lanvin's New Creative Director". British Vogue. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
  25. Friedman, Vanessa (2019-01-21). "A New Designer Is Named to Reinvent Lanvin". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-02-01.
  26. "Loewe's Bruno Sialelli Becomes Lanvin New Creative Director". Humble & Rich Boutique. February 2019.
  27. "Jacques Levy". Les Echos. 8 July 2004. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  28. "Lanvin se dote d'un nouveau directeur général et nomme Siddhartha Shukla". FashionUnited. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  29. Miles Socha (14 April 2023), EXCLUSIVE: Lanvin, Bruno Sialelli to Part Ways Women's Wear Daily.
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