A STORY TO TELL

“There’s a story to tell at Lanvin. In all modesty, I’d like to say that I’m going to do Jeanne [Lanvin] by the book.” This is what 59-year-old Olivier Lapidus told

Vogue after the news broke in July of his appointment as the new Artistic Director of Lanvin.

Lapidus’s arrival at France’s oldest fashion brand, and one of the last major independent fashion labels in an industry dominated by multi-brand groups, follows the shock departure of Bouchra Jarrar, whose stay at Lanvin lasted only 16 months.

The son of designer Ted Lapidus, Lanvin’s new creative chief has just launched his own “future couture” collection via Instagram. Lapidus told Vogue: “When we began discussions, Lanvin was interested by my [Internet] approach. New technologies can be very pertinent for the oldest couture house in France.”

The magazine added: “As it happens, Lapidus has known Lanvin owner [and Taiwanese media magnate] Shaw-Lan Wang for 33 years, ever since he was the designer of Balmain’s menswear.”

Of the appointment, The Guardian reported: “Lanvin, the historic French fashion house at the heart of Parisian chic, has appointed an expert in ‘e-couture’ as its new creative director in an attempt to connect with a new generation. Lapidus is a relative unknown in the industry.” His Creation Olivier Lapidus “creates ornate custom-made beaded dresses which are ready in 12 weeks, and can be ordered on a hotline after watching a runway show online.”