Seasonless staples
Let French fashion house LANVIN breathe new life into your closet with creative director Bruno Sialelli’s simple yet sophisticated second collection
You’d be hard-pressed to find a fashion house with a richer history than that of Parisian institution Lanvin. Founded over 130 years ago by Jeanne Lanvin, the brand began as a milliners but, soon after the distinctive dresses Lanvin was creating for her daughter caught the attention of the city’s elite, she applied her delicate touch to made-to-order clothing and became one of the most sought-after couturiers in all of France. This humble origin story is immortalized in the house’s logo – that of a woman and child, underscoring the fact that real clothes, designed for real women and fit for real life have been at the heart of the label since day one.
Over the years, the house has, inevitably, evolved, but, since taking the reigns, creative director Bruno Sialelli has stayed true to this inclusive ethos and kept the brand’s ‘woman’ squarely at the center of his vision. Having honed his craft working at contemporary and heritage labels alike – including Acne Studios, Paco Rabanne, Balenciaga and Loewe – his attitude towards tradition is both respectful and irreverant; and it’s this duality that makes his collections so compelling. A sartorial alchemist of the highest order, he never fails to strike the balance between prettiness and practicality, with designs that are as laidback as they are luxurious and, ultimately, infinitely wearable.
Inspired by the seasoned (and sun-kissed travelers) who frequent stylish Mediterranean towns like Cadaquès, Taormina and Porto-Vecchio, Sialelli’s SS20 pre-collection evokes the lightness, femininity and ease of Lanvin’s earliest work, while also promising to breathe new life into your existing closet.
Prepare to take your everyday look up a notch with everything from this season's must-have piece, the diaphonous white day dress, to crisp cotton shirting with distinctive tie-details – the perfect addition to classic blue jeans or precision-tailored pants – and chunky cable-knit cardigans, all of which will make off-duty days infinitely more comfortable. After dark, try a body-skimming lurex dress that perfectly toes the line between subtle and statement, or pair butter-soft leather pants with a second skin rollneck and classic accessories for an insouciant, and suitably Parisian, evening ensemble.
It’s not hard to see why the brand has an enviable fan base that has included everyone from Marlene Dietrich and Mary Pickford to modern style icons like French actor Isabelle Huppert and American musician Kelala. Lanvin’s classic-with-a-twist creations (and soon-to-be closet staples) were made to be worn, and cherished, forever.