When beloved designer Alber Elbaz left Lanvin after 14 years at the helm, it really was the end of an era. The Israeli designer hadn’t just found his groove at the oldest French fashion house in constant operation, but completely revitalized it, fusing an aesthetic of elegance and power with a diehard admiration for women. Who could possibly follow suit? Haute couture designer Bouchra Jarrar was something of an unsung couture hero when she was appointed artistic director of Lanvin in March, but she was an exciting choice for many reasons that had nothing to do with a social media following. Chief among these reasons was that Jarrar is a woman — one of the few women to drive such a storied brand, and one of even fewer women doing it at a brand built by a woman (Jeanne Lanvin). Then of course there’s her technical prowess, which is very evident in her first collection for Lanvin. Jarrar unveiled Resort 17 at a small presentation in New York this week, ahead of her first runway debut at Paris Fashion Week in September.
Both Elbaz superfans and those amped for a fresh direction will find plenty to love about Jarrar’s intelligent new vision. Five-star tailoring and restrained colors encounter powerfully romantic details that hat-tip Elbaz while not reflecting him directly. The two designers evidently share similar values and goals: a deep respect for women, and a desire to make them look truly amazing. We’re excited to she what comes down the runway in September.
Credits
Text Hannah Ongley
Images courtesy of Lanvin