A Lady Loves Her Pearls: March 2015

Tuesday, 24 March 2015

Jeanne Lanvin's First Paris Exhibition

With the Lanvin exhibition just opened in Paris (which I cant wait to see)
here my take on the master herself

Jeanne-Marie Lanvin (1 January 1867, Paris – 6 July 1946, Paris) was a French fashion designer and the founder of the Lanvin fashion house.

“I act on impulse and believe in instinct,” “My dresses aren’t premeditated. I am carried away by feeling, and technical knowledge helps me make my clothes become a reality.” Lanvin

a Vogue illustraton by “Eric” (Carl Erickson) of Jeanne Lanvin at her desk

One of the most influential designers of the 1920s and '30s, Jeanne Lanvin's was easily recognizable by her skilful use of intricate trimmings, virtuoso embroideries and beaded decorations.

The fabrics that she used were silk, taffeta, velvet, silk chiffon, organza, lace, tulle, etc. She used a lot of free-flowing ribbons, ruffles, flowers, lace, mirrors, etc., and liked ornamentation like applique, couching, quilting, parallel stitching, and embroidery.

She took her first job in fashion at thirteen, making and delivering hats for the milliner Suzanne Talbot. A decade later, she opened her own first hat boutique, in Paris, in 1889.

She branched into clothing design when she began creating beautifully adorned dresses for her young daughter, Marie-Blanche di Pietro (her child with Count Emilio di Pietro) that they began to attract the attention of a number of wealthy people who requested copies for their own children. Soon grown women were charmed by little Marie-Blanche’s outfits and requested the designs for themselves.

Designs by Mme Lanvin in "La Gazette du Bon Ton", 1922

She became known for her mother-and-daughter outfits and exquisite robes de style

Lavin Lined her walls with her inspirations her office were row upon row of bound folios, each bursting with the fruit of her travels—antique brocades; Chinese silks; precious scraps from India, Persia, Spain. Lanvin translated these tactile treasures into beaded and embroidered motifs for her signature robe de style dresses. I want to have this in my studio

Lanvin was known for her lavish embellishments huge bows, velvet-ribbon flowers, and ruffled tiers, intricate embroidered arabesques, tiny beads and shells appeared to be printed on the fabric.

Lanvin went home to her dyeworks and created the deep cornflower shade that came to be alternately known as her signature Lanvin blue

She became one of the first couturiers to create a division for fragrances, Lanvin Parfums.In 1936 She created the wedding gown for the Princess of Alcántara

She died In Paris in 1946 aged 79. Her Daughter Marie-Blanche de Polignac took over the house.

Lanvin's active fashion career spanned 50 years from the 1890's up to the New Look just after World War II.

Lanvin Today

AW2015 show

Lanvin may be the oldest fashion house in Paris, but it has also managed to remain one of the most relevant. Through many years and many designers

Designers

Alber Elbaz 2002—present
Cristina Ortiz1997—2001
Ocimar Versolato1996—1997
Dominique Morlotti1992—1995
Eric Bergère1990—1992
Claude Montana1990—1992
Robert Nelissen1989—1990
Maryll Lanvin1981—1989
Jules-François Crahay1963—1984
Antonio del Castillo1950—1963
Marie-Blanche de Polignac1946—1950

Thursday, 19 March 2015

Spring/Summer 2015 campaigns, and what was really being said

With the Spring on the horizon,… well hoping and praying it will, we thought we would give you our opinion on some of the super brands Spring/Summer 2015 campaigns and what we believe what actually being said

Ralph Lauren

"oh!... hello, soooooo I’m just going to go for ride on these camels in this beautiful if totally impractical ralph Lauren dress and see a few sights.....".