Lanvin
A historic Parisian luxury fashion house founded by Jeanne Lanvin and known for couture heritage, refined ready-to-wear, accessories, and fragrances.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Lanvin is a French luxury fashion house founded in Paris by Jeanne Lanvin in 1889. It is widely regarded as the oldest French fashion house still operating. The business began with millinery and developed into a broad luxury enterprise spanning childrenswear, womenswear, menswear, couture, accessories, interiors, and perfume. Its identity was shaped early by Jeanne Lanvin's relationship with her daughter, Marguerite, whose clothing inspired the creation of one of the first significant designer childrenswear lines. That maternal relationship also informed the house's distinctive logo, which depicts a mother and daughter at a costume ball. Jeanne Lanvin expanded into womenswear after joining the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture in 1909. Her designs became associated with femininity, graceful construction, elaborate decoration, and a romantic but modern sensibility. The house also became known for a proprietary blue, often called Lanvin Blue, inspired by the colors of a Fra Angelico fresco and produced through dedicated dyeing facilities. During the 1920s, Lanvin diversified beyond clothing. Lanvin Décoration, established with designer and decorator Armand-Albert Rateau, produced furniture, textiles, lighting, carpets, and other decorative objects in an Art Deco idiom. Lanvin Parfums was created in 1924, followed by fragrances including My Sin and Arpège, the latter becoming one of the house's signature products. After Jeanne Lanvin died in 1946, her daughter Marguerite, later known as Marie-Blanche de Polignac, assumed leadership of the fashion and perfume businesses. Following her death without children in 1958, ownership passed within the Lanvin family before the business underwent a series of corporate and licensing changes. The perfume division was separated from the fashion business and later sold to Interparfums in 2007. During the late twentieth century, Lanvin changed hands through Midland Bank, Orcofi, L'Oréal, and later the investment group Harmonie, controlled by Taiwanese media executive Wang Shaw-lan. The house's modern creative reputation was especially strengthened by Alber Elbaz, who served as artistic director from 2001 to 2015. His work emphasized fluid silhouettes, luxurious materials, and emotionally expressive eveningwear, helping restore international attention to Lanvin. Lucas Ossendrijver developed the men's line from 2006, including an influential urban sneaker proposition. Lanvin also attracted wider public attention through its 2010 capsule collaboration with H&M and through celebrity and political visibility, including Michelle Obama's wearing of Lanvin sneakers. Following Elbaz's departure, Lanvin experienced several rapid creative-director changes, including Bouchra Jarrar, Olivier Lapidus, Estrella Archs, and Bruno Sialelli. Fosun International acquired the fashion house in 2018, bringing it into the group now known as Lanvin Group. The house has since pursued international retail development, renewed brand storytelling, and collaborations such as Lanvin Lab, a platform for limited creative projects launched in 2023. Peter Copping was appointed artistic director for womenswear and menswear in 2024. Lanvin continues to operate as a global luxury label, balancing its Parisian heritage with contemporary collections, accessories, footwear, fragrance licensing, and selective collaborations.
History
Jeanne Lanvin established the house in Paris in 1889 after beginning her career as a milliner. Her original business developed from hats into clothing, with her daughter Marguerite serving as an important personal and creative influence. Lanvin introduced childrenswear in 1908 and entered formal couture in 1909, later becoming known for romantic silhouettes, detailed embellishment, youthful elegance, and a distinctive blue color developed for the house. During the 1920s, Lanvin expanded into complementary luxury fields. A decorative-arts division was developed with Armand-Albert Rateau, producing interiors, furniture, textiles, lighting, and other objects associated with French Art Deco. Lanvin also established its perfume business in 1924. My Sin became an early success, while Arpège, introduced in 1927 for Marguerite's thirtieth birthday, became one of the brand's enduring fragrance references. Menswear, fur, and lingerie were added during the same broad period of diversification. Jeanne Lanvin's death in 1946 began a succession period led by Marguerite, who managed the fashion and perfume operations until her death in 1958. Ownership then remained within the wider Lanvin family for a time, while the brand employed a succession of designers across couture, womenswear, menswear, and accessories. The perfume division underwent separate corporate development, merging with Charles of the Ritz in 1964 and eventually being sold to Interparfums in 2007. The fashion business experienced major ownership changes in the late twentieth century. A controlling interest was sold to Midland Bank in 1989, followed by an acquisition by Orcofi and L'Oréal in 1990. L'Oréal gradually increased its stake and acquired full ownership in 1996. Haute couture was discontinued after Claude Montana's departure in 1992, while the house continued through ready-to-wear, accessories, licensing, and fragrance activities. In 2001, investor group Harmonie acquired Lanvin, with Wang Shaw-lan later becoming its controlling owner. Alber Elbaz's appointment in 2001 marked a major renewal. As artistic director, Elbaz developed fluid, highly crafted collections that restored Lanvin's profile among luxury-fashion consumers and critics. Lucas Ossendrijver subsequently strengthened the men's business, introducing a modern sneaker and tailoring vocabulary. The brand also pursued high-profile collaborations, including the 2010 H&M collection, and expanded its direct retail footprint with its first United States boutique in Bal Harbour in 2009. Elbaz left in 2015 following disagreements with shareholders. Bouchra Jarrar, Olivier Lapidus, Estrella Archs, and Bruno Sialelli subsequently held creative roles during a period of repeated repositioning. In 2018, Fosun International acquired Lanvin and integrated it into its growing fashion portfolio. The former Fosun Fashion Group was renamed Lanvin Group in 2021. Lanvin Lab was launched in 2023 to support limited collaborations, and Peter Copping became artistic director for womenswear and menswear in 2024. The house remains active internationally, combining Parisian luxury heritage with contemporary fashion, accessories, footwear, fragrance, and collaborative projects.
- 2024
Peter Copping appointed artistic director
[1]Copping is named to lead Lanvin womenswear and menswear, effective September 2024.
- 2023
Lanvin Group lists in New York
[1]Lanvin Group becomes a publicly listed fashion group on the New York Stock Exchange.
- 2021
Fosun Fashion Group renamed Lanvin Group
[1]The parent fashion platform adopts the Lanvin Group name.
- 2018
Fosun acquires Lanvin
[1]Fosun International acquires the fashion house and adds it to its luxury fashion portfolio.
- 2015
Elbaz leaves Lanvin
[1]The house announces the departure of Alber Elbaz after disagreements with shareholders.
- 2009
First United States boutique opens
[1]Lanvin opens its first U.S. boutique in Bal Harbour, Florida.
- 2001
Harmonie acquires Lanvin
[1]The fashion house is purchased by investor group Harmonie, later controlled by Wang Shaw-lan.
- 2001
Alber Elbaz becomes artistic director
[1]Elbaz begins a long creative tenure that significantly raises Lanvin's contemporary international profile.
- 1990
L'Oréal becomes involved in Lanvin
[1]Orcofi and L'Oréal acquire Lanvin from Midland Bank and the Lanvin family.
- 1946
Jeanne Lanvin dies
[1]Leadership passes to her daughter, Marguerite, also known as Marie-Blanche de Polignac.
Products and positioning
Parisian luxury fashion with couture heritage, romantic femininity, refined tailoring, and modern artistic collaborations.
Apparel · 1909
Women's ready-to-wear
Lanvin's womenswear expresses the house's long association with romantic elegance through dresses, tailoring, separates, eveningwear, and seasonally developed fashion collections. Modern collections draw on couture references, fluid construction, embellishment, and Parisian styling while remaining positioned for luxury ready-to-wear retail.
Apparel · 1926
Men's ready-to-wear
The men's business combines tailoring, formalwear, relaxed luxury, footwear, and contemporary sportswear elements. Its modern identity was strengthened under Lucas Ossendrijver, whose work helped establish Lanvin as a credible international menswear and sneaker label.
Accessories
Handbags and leather goods
Lanvin leather goods extend the house's fashion language into handbags, small leather accessories, and other luxury carry products. Designs typically emphasize sculptural forms, refined materials, recognizable hardware, and the balance between historical house codes and contemporary seasonal styling.
Footwear · 2006
Footwear and sneakers
Lanvin footwear includes formal shoes, fashion-driven women's styles, and sneakers. The men's urban sneaker introduced during the Ossendrijver period became an important expression of the house's move toward luxury casualwear and helped broaden its visibility among younger consumers.
Fragrance · 1927
Arpège
Arpège is Lanvin's signature fragrance, introduced in 1927 for Marguerite Lanvin's thirtieth birthday. Its name refers to an arpeggio, linking the fragrance to Marguerite's musical interests. It remains one of the most enduring products associated with the house's heritage.
Fragrance · 1925
My Sin
My Sin was the American-market name for Mon Péché, an early Lanvin fragrance launched in 1925. It became an important early commercial success and helped establish Lanvin's perfume business internationally.
Collaborative collections · 2023
Lanvin Lab
Lanvin Lab is a platform for limited-edition projects and creative partnerships. It was introduced to connect Lanvin's heritage with musicians, artists, and other external collaborators, beginning with a project involving rapper Future.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Lanvin Lab launch
Global
Lanvin launched Lanvin Lab as a collaboration-led platform, with its first announced project developed with rapper Future.
Outcome. The initiative created a channel for limited collections and younger, cross-cultural brand engagement.
- 2013Arsenal official tailoring partnership
United Kingdom · International
Lanvin became the official tailor of Arsenal Football Club, supplying formal tailoring and associating the house with the club's professional and public-facing activities.
Outcome. The partnership extended Lanvin's menswear visibility into sports and football culture.
- 2010Lanvin for H&M
Global
Lanvin created a guest-designer collection for H&M, making selected Lanvin-inspired womenswear and menswear available through a large international retail network.
Outcome. The collaboration broadened public awareness of Lanvin and brought the house's design codes to a mass-market fashion audience.
Brand decisions
2023
Lanvin Lab introducedProduct launchBackground
Lanvin sought new ways to connect its historical identity with contemporary cultural figures and limited-edition product development.
Action taken
The house launched Lanvin Lab as a collaboration platform and began with a project involving Future.
Aftermath
Lanvin gained a structured vehicle for experimental capsules and cross-disciplinary brand activity.
2018
Fosun acquires LanvinM&ABackground
Lanvin was controlled by Wang Shaw-lan and Ralph Bartel before the transaction.
Action taken
Fosun International acquired the shareholders' interests and placed Lanvin within its developing luxury fashion portfolio.
Aftermath
Lanvin became the namesake asset of Lanvin Group, alongside brands such as Sergio Rossi, Wolford, St. John Knits, and Caruso.
2007
Perfume business sold to InterparfumsM&ABackground
Lanvin's perfume operation had developed as a distinct business from the fashion house.
Action taken
The fragrance business was transferred to Interparfums.
Aftermath
Lanvin fragrances continued through a licensing and partnership model rather than direct ownership of the perfume operation.
1992
Haute couture line is shutteredStrategyBackground
Claude Montana departed after a short tenure leading the couture division.
Action taken
Lanvin discontinued its haute couture line and continued to develop ready-to-wear and related luxury activities.
Aftermath
The house retained couture heritage as part of its identity but operated primarily through ready-to-wear, accessories, licensing, and fragrance.
Recent events
- 2024
Peter Copping appointed Lanvin artistic director[1]
Leadership change
Peter Copping was announced as artistic director for Lanvin womenswear and menswear, with the appointment taking effect in September 2024.
- 2023
Lanvin launches Lanvin Lab[1]
Campaign · Product launch
Lanvin introduced Lanvin Lab as a platform for limited collections and external creative collaborations, beginning with rapper Future.
- 2019
Lanvin names Bruno Sialelli creative director[1]
Leadership change
Bruno Sialelli was appointed to lead both womenswear and menswear during a period of strategic and creative repositioning.
- 2018
Fosun International acquires Lanvin[1]
M&A
Fosun acquired the stakes held by Wang Shaw-lan and Ralph Bartel, making Lanvin part of a Shanghai-based luxury fashion portfolio.
- 2016
Lanvin appoints Bouchra Jarrar as womenswear creative director[1]
Leadership change
Bouchra Jarrar succeeded Alber Elbaz in leading Lanvin womenswear, but left after producing two ready-to-wear collections.
- 2015
Lanvin ends its collaboration with Alber Elbaz[1]
Leadership change · Other
The house announced Elbaz's departure after disagreements with shareholders, ending one of Lanvin's most influential modern creative periods.
- 2013
Lanvin becomes official tailor of Arsenal Football Club[1]
Campaign · Other
Lanvin entered a tailoring relationship with Arsenal FC, extending its menswear and formalwear presence into football-related brand activity.
- 2010
Lanvin collaborates with H&M[1]
Campaign · Product launch
Lanvin created a widely distributed guest-designer collection for H&M, expanding the house's visibility beyond its conventional luxury retail audience.
Sources5 sources
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