Jeanne Lanvin
(1867-1946)
Jeanne Lanvin was born in Paris, France in 1867. Since very young she worked as a seamstress and millinery apprentice. She married and had a daughter Marguerite Marie-Blanche, who was born in 1987.
Lanvin’s daughter Margarite became her inspiration and support through the years.
In 1890, Lanvin opened a millinery shop in Paris. In 1908, Lanvin added a children’s clothing department, and a year later, added a ladies department. She also joined the Syndicate de la Couture, as a couturier in 1909. In 1919, she designed eveningwear inspired by the Oriental influence of the times, using velvets, satins, beading and embroidery patterns with exotic elements. In 1921, she introduced Aztec embroideries in her designs.
Also popular was her design of the Lanvin Breton suit, which featured a gently gathered skirt, a short, braided jacket with lots of small buttons, and a big white organdy collar turning down over a red satin box. A sailor's hat or round straw hat topped the outfit. Lanvin is known to have used a particular shade of blue so often, that it became known as “Lanvin blue.”
Before World War I, Lanvin created her famous "robes de style," based on 18th century designs. These waisted, full-skirted dresses which remained popular until the early 1920s with only slight adjustments. She designed romantic "picture" dresses based on softened Victorian shapes and lavishly trimmed with embroidery. At the beginning of the war, she made a simple chemise dress which later became the basic outline for the 1920s.
The House of Lanvin was a fashion leader and an innovator in the 1920s; it always maintained its image of youth, femininity and beauty. In 1926 she created departments for menswear, furs, and lingerie. Later she ventured into fragrances launching various successful scents like Arpege, in 1927; Scandal in 1933; and Rumeur, in 1934.
Jeanne Lanvin was named Chevalier of the Legion d’Honneur on January 9, 1926; and in 1938, she was named Officier of the Legion d’Honneur. When Lanvin died in 1946, her daughter, Marie-Blanche, became the chairman and managing director of Lanvin and Lanvin parfums; until her death in 1958.
