The exhibition comprises more than 100 impressive items of clothing and accessories designed by the legendary fashion designer Jeanne Lanvin (1867-1946), including exclusive items from her estate. Jeanne Lanvin designs tended to be sleek, with playful feminine details such as flowers, lace and rosettes breaking up the plain outlines. She worked predominantly with noble colours such as royal blue, absinthe green and salmon pink. Numerous influences from art and design movements such as art déco are present in her designs.
Fashion as a lifestyle
Jeanne Lanvin’s career started with a little milliner’s shop in Paris that she opened in 1889. Inspired by her daughter, her first children’s line followed around 20 years later. Just one year down the line, the single mother was already a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.
Jeanne Lanvin quickly realised that fashion needs to be understood not just as clothing, but as a lifestyle. As a result, she stepped outside the confines of pure women’s fashion to design underwear, fur coats, wedding dresses, interior decoration, décor, household items and furniture, as well as sportswear and perfumes. In 1926 she added men’s fashion to her range.
By 1925 Madame Lanvin employed 800 staff. The Jeanne Lanvin exhibition will be open until 23 August 2015 in the Palais Galliera.
Further details can be found at www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr
