Longchamp makes New York debut to celebrate 70 years
LONGCHAMP DECAMPED
across the Atlantic on Saturday to make their New York Fashion Week debut and celebrate their 70th anniversary, fronted by new brand ambassador Kendall Jenner.
Guests were invited to the World Trade Center, where the Manhattan skyline provided a dazzling backdrop to a collection summed up as 1970s glamour, California spirit and Parisian elegance.
The French staple, best known by millions around the world for the iconic Pliage bag, is building on its leather goods heritage by highlighting its readyto-wear, sunglasses and footwear lines.
Their first fashionweek runway show comes hot on the heels of opening a new boutique on New York’s legendary Fifth Avenue in May, and the selection of supermodel Jenner as their new ambassador.
They are poised to open a new boutique in Beverly Hills — hence the California spirit, which Jenner herself evokes, as does model Kaia Gerber, 17, who walked the runway.
Jenner sat front row, sporting the Longchamp Gladiators on her slender pins, next to Kate Moss, who was the face of Longchamp for eight years and in turn sat next to Indian actress Priyanka Chopra.
“It’s a way of expressing the international development of the brand,” Longchamp CEO Jean Cassegrain, 53, said of the family firm’s decision to show in New York, on the third day of fashion week.
Cassegrain is the grandson of the founder. His sister Sophie Delafontaine and brother Olivier are also involved with the business. Their 81-year-old father is still the company president.
There were lots of fringed tops, shorts and mini-skirts in suede, gladiator sandals, and Ikat-style prints on long skirts and dresses.