Lanvin

Jeanne Lanvin born in 1867 Paris was the oldest of 11 children brought up from very poor origins. She gained a fast beginning in fashion while at the very young age of 16 when she labored as a beginner milliner at the well-known Madame Felix hat shop on Paris’ renowned Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore. After that she started to practice in dressmaking at Talbot and at the fresh young age of 22, set up her private milliner shop on the same famed street. Lanvin’s fame spread as she quickly became recognized among prominent and intellectual Parisian customers for her contemporary mother-daughter clothing and fantastic gowns. She wedded her first partner and gave birth to her daughter Marguerite, who gradually in time grew to become the fashion house’s leader. Lavin became a member of the notorious Syndicat de la Couture, in 1909, showing her public recognition and appearance as a real couturier. Her business continued extending and developing into new fields as she started out several home decor, menswear, fur and lingerie stores. However most importantly, in 1924 the launch of Lanvin Parfums SA with the following launch of Arpege, her signature aroma, and shortly afterwards along with Baccarat’s creation of Lanvin’s crystal perfume bottles, established her strongly on the fashion chart. Regarded as one of the most popular fashion designers in the 1920’s and 1930’s, her design trademarks of sophisticated shapes, spectacular embellishments and beaded artwork in gentle floral colors evolved into distinct exceptional creations. At the height of her reputation, the design house remarkably had a working force of over of 800 people.

Jeanne passed away in 1946 and the fashion empire remained in the control of family members. However in 1989, UK’s Midland Bank acquired a share in the company and assigned Leon Bressler to rejuvenate the brand-name. Only a year passed and the bank was sold to the French holding company, Orcofi, owned by the renowned Vuitton family. Following this, a 50% share was bought by L'Oreal and their control gradually amplified when it held the house overall by 1996. In 2001 the story repeated again and Lanvin was acquired by a privately owned investor group, Harmonie S.A, managed by Mrs. Shaw-Lan Wang the powerful Taiwanese media giant. Shortly after in that same year, the highly skilled designer, Alber Elbaz, was positioned as Artistic Director. The company’s headquarters continue to be based in Paris.

Half way through the 1920’s, the design house hired professional perfumer Andre Fraysse, and released an outstanding stream of Lanvin perfumes and scents: Arpege, Le Sillon, Niv Nal, Irise, Kara - Djenoun, Lajea, Chypre, Comme-Ci Comme-Ca, J'En Raffole, La Dogaresse, Geranium D’espagne, Apres-Sport, Ou Fleurit L’oranger, Friction Jeanne Lanvin, Cross-Country, La Boule, Pretexte, Petales Froissees, L’Ame Perdue-Lost Soul, Scandal, L’Eau De Lanvin, Rumeur, Crescendo, Monsieur Lanvin, Via Lanvin, Lanvin For Men, Vetyver Lanvin, Cardomone, Clair De Jour and Mon Peche-My Sin. Most of these scents are not formulated anymore because of the repeated acquisitions of the company through the years. In more current years, the fragrances Eclat d’Arpege, Lanvin Man and Lanvin Vetyver were created, along with Oxygene in varying editions equally for ladies and gentlemen.