Why do you like / hate Lanvin?

[marnilover]

On a a scale of 1/10, Id give it a 10. Alber Elbaz is just trying to capture the style of a parisan woman and making it wearable for women of all ages. Its parisian, and as Doutzen would say, very "woman-friendly".

 

[sleazie ninja]

I would say the clothes can be a bit severe. When you walk into a LANVIN store wearing flip flops and torn jeans you kind of feel bad. The pallettes/color schemes dont seem to be drastically different, but overall, it's beautiful clothing. It's just not meant for younger girls. I think it is geared towards older, more sophisticated women, women who probably have no idea that TFS even exists. I think Alber Elbaz is an extremely talented designer.

People who are missing letters like "t" at the end of their first names definately get my respect...that's a hot scene.

Also I think its worth mentioning that I would never buy/wear anything from LANVIN for men.

 

[Pastry]

what is Lanvin Homme like?

i'd like to start by mentioning the fall 2005 collection. i thougt it was weak judging from the runway photos. yesterday, i stumbled upon a few lanvin items from that collection on ebay. let me tell you, i am a reformed man...

these clothes ooze sophistication and gradeur. raw edges are a trademark of course, but the construction looked incredible, these little tucks on the side mold the dress to the body instead of darts...it's a whole new level of sophistication!

as for mr, elbaz's design aesthetic, it has to do a lot with wmen and what they wear, what they want, how they fucntion everyday..it's interesting

he said about his debut collection that he doesn't understand modernity or anythig like that, he understands desirabilty..we're all witnesses to that, no?

 

[djflame]

For sophiscated, elegant womenswear , Lanvin gets a 10. Their stuff just gives off a good-old classy vibe.

Although I like their Men's fragrances, like sleazie ninja said, I wouldn't wear the mens' line.

 

[Spike413]

I love Lanvin because Alber makes beautiful clothes...it's as simple as that really.

His recent spring collection totally revived my love for what he does at Lanvin (his s/s and f/w 05 collections were somehow a bit less interesting than some of his earlier work at the house) But s/s 06 really added something new to the Lanvin identity, it was a bit sexier, a bit harder and very clean. Overall, very refreshing not to see ribbons of pearls and circle skirts.

 

[tricotineacetat]

Alber Elbaz' strength is the nonchalance which he brings to the couture, his clothes are without doubt much more approachable than, say, Stefano Pilati's YSL or Olivier Theyskens' designs for Rochas, which are at times rather elitist.

Alex, I´m quite surprised you are pointing out the exceptional construction of Lanvin clothes, most of what I´ve seen in person looks very disappointing to me, by far too many raw edges going on and sometimes very unsurprising cuts and techniques. Everytime I see a Lanvin jacket hanging on the rack, I wonder for what reason they are asking such high pricetags in the same height as Balenciaga (which are often so heavily darted that they vaguely resemble some sort of a sculpture when they are hanging).

 

[tricotineacetat]

The S/S 2006 I actually hated a lot, it was by far too strict, hard edged to fit his niche, I think Lanvin is much better with a sort of luxed-up, Dries Van Noten-esque silhouette that is lighter and more playful than the severe designs from the other Parisian "maisons".

 

[Meg]

I don't think Lanvin is very 'woman friendly' in terms of it's pricetag. I do think it's amazing clothing but sometimes it is overpriced. I do wish in terms of price and construction it was a bit more accessible. It's not always the most approachable clothing and tricotine I disagree, I think ysl is a lot more approachable and 'friendly' than Lanvin. But agree on the Rochas

 

[tricotineacetat]

I don't think Lanvin is very 'woman friendly' in terms of it's pricetag. I do think it's amazing clothing but sometimes it is overpriced. I do wish in terms of price and construction it was a bit more accessible. It's not always the most approachable clothing and tricotine I disagree, I think ysl is a lot more approachable and 'friendly' than Lanvin. But agree on the Rochas

Meg, it´s certainly good to hear another opinion, I am not so aware of Pilati´s YSL, I only hear that it´s selling quite succesfully these days. I was just refering to the silhouette overall, with Pilati and Theyskens both being rather strict and structured, I thought that Lanvin would be much easier to wear, whereas with YSL, it´s a whole new silhouette that he is pushing, I was thinking that people are not yet used about his aesthetic, especially with the sometimes odd colours and footwear... I like it though, S/S 2006 YSL was amazing and made perfect sense. Sad about Rochas being a little "difficult", it´s certainly very elaborate (definitely more so than Lanvin and some others) but I understand that only few can follow... maybe with the new season´s new direction, this will change a lot...

...back on topic though...!

 

[Grill]

I have a love/hate relationship with Lanvin. Largely I think the stuff is beautiful. I bought a fabulous wool trench from the PreFall collection which I love and is classically beautiful. It was very expensive but then it is classic, well made - if unlined - and will age with me - if you know what I mean?! I went to the Spring/Summer 06 trunk show at the store in Paris and was slightly disappointed - extortionate prices for what I consider some very average looking separates - like satin and cashmere tees at around 800 euros. While I loved the looks portrayed in the pre-spring look book - I do not feel that they would work for a lot of people. Wide pants and wide smock combos are difficult on people who are not super tall, slim and beautiful.

For me, with my budget/looks/age,et al, I find it's best for me to buy one super piece - dress, trench or coat from each collection rather than buying one or two unrelated separates which don't really work with the rest of my wardrobe(!). I also love the knitwear but think it's too expensive..

I also find the boutique staff rather snooty and the atmosphere in the shop discourages me from just popping in to check out the merchandise.

 

[fashionista-ta]

The S/S 2006 I actually hated a lot, it was by far too strict, hard edged to fit his niche, I think Lanvin is much better with a sort of luxed-up, Dries Van Noten-esque silhouette that is lighter and more playful than the severe designs from the other Parisian "maisons".

Agree with this completely ... also agree with what Grill said about the accessibility of the resort collection. I could forgive that, though, because it was soooooo beautiful. I was even ready to buy one of those unflattering smocks myself, but luckily or unluckily, they were nowhere to be found in the US (Given how slow they are to ship, there may still not be a piece anywhere in the country, but I mean that I couldn't find a store who would admit to having ordered the piece I wanted, and I'm not even sure it went into production.)

Even with this latest deeply disappointing collection, I still agree that it's more "woman-friendly" or whatever term you want to use than YSL or Rochas. Alber thinks about real women when he designs ... YSL and Rochas are more about a specific vision than about actual women. He also does at least think about the price point and is well aware that women can buy things for a tenth of the price, and considers how to differentiate and make it worthwhile to buy Lanvin instead. I'm not sure some designers even have these thoughts

 

[Spacemiu]

I love the bohemian ( yes this word is over used at the moment, but it applies) glamour of Lanvin, as tricot said the "nonchalance which he brings to the couture" , I also agree on the S/S 2006, although I still liked it.

 

[Amelia]

I simply love Lanvin for his collection for Fall 2005.... After that I realised that Lavin was always in my mind..... somewhere. After that show.... I love this brand. Really.

Can I post some pics, please ?

And this....is....gorgeous!!!

[all the pics from style.com]

 

[fouroclock]

The new spring collection sucked, but I like Lanvin because it doesn't try to be anything. Elbaz doesn't try to make his clothing embellished or sexy. Simplicity = key.

 

[Amelia]

And the show for Fall 2003...... It amazed me! I'm in love all the time! It's very simply, sexy, womanly and veeeryy Lanvin It's here

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/F2003RTW/complete/thumb/LANVIN

And some pics I love....

[style.com]

 

[marnilover]

I don't think Lanvin is very 'woman friendly' in terms of it's pricetag. I do think it's amazing clothing but sometimes it is overpriced. I do wish in terms of price and construction it was a bit more accessible. It's not always the most approachable clothing and tricotine I disagree, I think ysl is a lot more approachable and 'friendly' than Lanvin. But agree on the Rochas

Oh sorry.

 

[Pastry]

Amelia, you beat me to it, my vote for the best Lanvin collection goes to the Fall 2003 one. I am really glad Lanvin under Elbaz's vision is a label I've gotten to see from the start..

 

[Pastry]

Alex, I´m quite surprised you are pointing out the exceptional construction of Lanvin clothes, most of what I´ve seen in person looks very disappointing to me, by far too many raw edges going on and sometimes very unsurprising cuts and techniques.

ditto on the raw edges, these clothes seem a teeny bit better when he cleans them up. i'm not sure how that was treated in the latest collcetion, but all i can say is that it was the second best mr. elbaz has ever done. at least the aesthetic and silohutte ( i guess we're gonna have to agree to disagree tricotine), which brings me to my question for tricotine: did you see a showroom presentation of the spring 2006 collection? if so, how is it?

 

[Ceptuouse]

I like lanvin because, I dont know really I just do..

 

[lawson]

Lanvin flats are the cutest flats ever. Check 'em out:

I want some, but they're like $500, and that alot for a pair of flats.