A Lady Loves Her Pearls: 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