Lanvin fashion, the legacy of a woman, mother, and creative visionary

Have you heard about the Lanvin frames collection and history of the label? Lanvin is the oldest house of French haute couture in operation today. As the house logo attests, founder Jeanne Lanvin was guided by her passion as well as by her love for her daughter to imagine and market creations that have left their mark on the fashion world for over a century.

France’s oldest house of haute couture

Lanvin’s 130-plus years of history make it the oldest French house of haute couture still in operation. Jeanne Lanvin already had a life-long passion for fashion when she broke into the field delivering hats for a Parisian milliner at age 13. Her strength of character and dedication propelled her upwards, and in 1889 she opened her own shop. Four years later the she moved it to a prestige location on Faubourg Saint-Honoré Street, where the name “Maison Lanvin” became official. It was an immediate hit. The label’s essence and foundation then were femininity and Parisian elegance and they still are today.

Jeanne Lanvin

Maison Lanvin

Lanvin logo with mother and child

A powerful mother–daughter bond

Jeanne gave birth to her daughter Marguerite in 1897. Jeanne’s life would be transformed, and the creations inspired in her by her maternal bond would provide the source of her house of fashion’s growth and success. Maison Lanvin’s logo, with its emblematic depiction of a mother and daughter dancing, shows the importance of that relationship to the rise of the label. It began when Marguerite was a little girl and the clothes Jeanne made for her caught the eye of her friends’ mothers. They went to Jeanne and the demand grew. In 1908 Jeanne opened her children’s fashion department. Her children’s department quickly outstripped her millinery collection, leading Jeanne to launch collections for young ladies and women in 1909. Lanvin thus was the first fashion house in France to dress mothers and their children. Maison Lanvin grew into an empire, adding to its hats and clothes for children, young ladies, and women, a series of new departments and creations—furs, lingerie, wedding gowns, sports attire, bespoke menswear, fragrance, and even home decor.

Arpège fragrance

Lanvin productions

Lanvin productions

Lanvin productions

The Lanvin difference

In addition to its particular origins in France and inspiring mother–daughter story, Maison Lanvin made its mark on the early 1920s through trendsetting styles, radical colours, and use of original decorative techniques. Embroidery, beads, flashes of silver, geometric insertions—every detail helping embody and strengthen the label’s powerful and singular image. Jeanne, or “Madame” as her staff called her, continued at the helm of her fashion house to the end. She died in 1946 at the age of 79. Her daughter Marguerite (since become Countess Marie-Blanche de Polignac) then led the fashion house until 1950. From the 1950s to the present day the torch was passed down through a series of designers, all following in the creative footsteps of the founder. Among them have been Jules François Crahay, Dominique Morlotti, Alber Elbaz, and Bruno Sialelli.

Lanvin difference

Lanvin difference

Marguerite

Lanvin difference

2021, a special year for Lanvin

Lanvin and its new muse Paris Hilton presents its new prescription and sunglass designs for a powerful opening to the spring/summer season. Lanvin’s new arrivals are as refined as ever, with numerous touches inspired by other Maison Lanvin departments and a perfect balance of modern and vintage style. Notable features include the Lanvin symbol—the golden Woman and Child—on many models. Another are the subtle details and cabled motifs, a nod to Arpège, the fragrance launched to celebrate Marguerite’s 30th birthday.

Lanvin x Paris Hilton

Lanvin x Paris Hilton

Lanvin frames

Lanvin frame

And among its selection of models made from such premium materials as Mazzucchelli’s acetate, Lanvin, unlike most manufacturers and big-name designers, has many models perfect for smaller faces. Here are some of them: The latest sunglasses show a certain return to bulkier frames, along with black and the classic, timeless colours, in both women’s and men’s styles. Vintage aviator and classic cat eye frames are also hot this season. Maison Lanvin will also remember 2021 for the death on April 24 of the celebrated Alber Elbaz. As artistic director, he helped bring about a veritable renaissance for the House in the early 2000s. Alber’s inspired leadership from 2002 to 2015 helped the label return to its roots and recover its former prestige. 

Frame model 2107

Frame model 2606

Frame model 2105

Availability in clinics

Lanvin frames are a genuine treasure, embodying elegance and European tradition, being made in Italy. That makes the collections of frames for women and men a blend of Parisian heritage and Italian know-how. Fans of personalization may also have noticed that the temple tips of many of the 2021 models are pierced. The resulting eyelets are designed for your chain, putting a finishing touch on your new favourite fashion accessory. To check availability of Lanvin frames, contact the team at your Opto-Réseau clinic.