@ tricotineacetat: I like Lanvin women, honestly, but I believe that in the same range of clothes, Rochas was far superior (very personal taste); at least I liked it since SS 07 and those techno fabrics and plexiglas things. I honestly can't bear them

. I must be a fashion
conservative, but for me, the concept of luxury is totally the opposite of the "techno" fabrics (I leave it to "innovative" designers or however we call them). Menswear never convinced me though. It's still to bling bling (for me

)[/QUOTE]
Okay, argument taken...
I think as a brand concept and a design philosophy, it's absolutely fine to finish the clothes the way Alber does it - You have to admit however, that the overall finishing is not very difficult to achieve, compared to Rochas, for example where the most simple a-line skirt would even have a corsetry-inspired underskirt, with grosgrain ribbons sewn on the edges etc. ... what I am trying to say is that; certain solutions in the design at Lanvin (both men and women) are rather raw and primitive (I certainly don't approve a washed leather jacket having cotton knit back, or some of the 'stylist-trick' neckties made of grosgrain ribbon), yet at the same time, the fabrics are without doubt top notch, and super luxurious... I know some of the mills that Lanvin is sourcing their fabrics from and they are indeed some of the best... and most expensive ones on the market.
Back on topic though, I think this has got nothing to do anymore with Hedi possibly signing to PPR...let's see if this is indeed being confirmed or not. Even in the days before Dior, the press was suggesting him as the new designer at Jil Sander, which in the end, turned out to be untrue as well.