As we bid adieu to another design maestro – it’s only been a week since Raf Simons stepped down at Dior – we look back at the sultry, sophisticated and wonderful body of work that Alber Elbaz crafted during his fourteen-year tenure at Lanvin and across the pages of MOJEH.
By Dmitri Ruwan
A compilation of Lanvin SS12 and AW13
Solely appointed to restore Lanvin, once Paris’ finest couture house, Alber Elbaz’s first collection in 2002 slipped under the radar of fashion journalists, commended as yet another effort by a leading corporation to recreate and repackage a dead label. However, fast-forward to AW09 and the vision of Alber was clear; to dress real women. Alber’s belief of ‘what looks good on camera may not necessarily look good on the body’ fast became evident in dresses and jackets that moved languidly off the wearer in luxurious fabrics such silks, marabou ostrich and distressed brocade, implementing a Parisian sense of rock’n’ roll without commercialising the grunge factor. The Maison regained its place as one of the finest Parisian labels in modern times and Alber became the go-to for ruffles, colours and uncommercial dressing. Today, we look to some of his finest creations during his time at Lanvin in celebration of his revolutionary mind.
Lanvin one shoulder bathing suit | Issue No. 1 | Jewel of the Desert, Photographed by Simon Upton
Lanvin ruffled top | Issue No. 2 | Timing is Everything, Photographed by Greg Gex
Lanvin ruffled top | Issue No. 2 | Glamour Cruise, Photographed by Greg Gex
Lanvin asymmetrical jumpsuit | Issue No. 2 | 70’s, Photographed by Giulia Noni
Olive green tulle Lanvin dress and shoes | Issue No. 7 | Ladies of the Manor, Photographed by Silja Magg | Styled by Bryan Marryshow
Lanvin crisp top and pencil skirt | Issue No. 8 | Love Never Grows Old, Photographed by tyler Kandel | Styled by Bryan Marryshow
Lanvin ruffled top | Issue No. 10 | Black Beauty, Photographed by Raphael Delorme & Thiernosy | Styled by Sonia Logerot
Lanvin Dainty top and high shorts | Issue No. 13 | Inflate and Celebrate, Photographed by Sabine Villiard | Styled by Sonia Logerot
Lanvin fantasy brocade jacket | Issue No. 24 | New Lands, Photographed by Pieter Henket | Styled by Guillaume Boulez
Lanvin top | Issue No. 27 | Free Love, Photographed by Oliver Rose | Styled by Guillaume Boulez
