Lanvin

Lanvin is a French fashion company founded in Paris in 1889 by fashion designer Jeanne Lanvin. It is the oldest French fashion house in continuous existence to the present day. The Lanvin brand sells high-priced prêt-à-porter fashion, accessories and perfume for men and women, as well as children's clothing. Between 1909 and 1993, Lanvin also produced haute couture fashion for women in the top price segment. Jeanne Lanvin (1867-1946), a trained milliner and milliner, opened her own hat store in 1889 on Paris' elegant fashion boulevard, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The hats were initially joined by playful girls' dresses from 1903 and exclusive haute couture fashion for women from 1909. The youthful, ladylike designs in cheerful colors were made of fine fabrics, often with sophisticated embroidery. Together with exclusive girls' clothing, they were very popular among the better Parisian society. While from the 1910s onwards other important French fashion designers such as Jean Patou or Coco Chanel created clear and minimalist-elegant fashion for women, the House of Lanvin continued to offer its customers romantic-playful models with long dresses (robe de style) and flowing skirts, decorated for example with satin ribbons, ruffles, taffeta or tulle ornaments or floral patterns (preferably daisies, as Marguerite was the first name of Jeanne Lanvin's daughter). In 1911, Lanvin bridal wear was introduced for the first time. In 1924, Lanvin Sport was launched as a second line for exclusive casual wear. In the same year, the newly founded Lanvin Parfums division presented the women's fragrance "Mon Péché / Eau My Sin" and launched numerous women's and men's fragrances in the following years. In 1927 Lanvin launched the classic "Arpège", whose name was chosen in reference to the piano playing daughter Marguerite. The extended logo of the brand, which can be seen on the "Arpège" bottle, depicts a mother in a flowing dress holding her little daughter's hand. It symbolizes Jeanne Lanvin's great love for her daughter. Also very recognized are the men's fragrances "Monsieur Lanvin" and "Vetyver Lanvin", both created in 1964. Until the end of the 80s, the company was in extended private ownership and experienced several takeovers in the following period. Since 2001, Jeanne Lanvin S.A. has been majority-owned by Taiwanese media entrepreneur Shaw-Lan Wang. In 2014, Lanvin celebrated its 125th anniversary.