At a time when sharp padded shoulders and crisp lines were trending, Christian Lacroix created venturesome clothing that was bubbly, flirtatious and exuberant.
The iconic French fashion designer, whose body of work includes handbags and purses, evening dresses, jackets and lots more, has always favored theater over fashion. He has long integrated corsets and bustles into his work, drawing on diverse cultures and citing epic historical dramas as inspirations. Today he is creating opera costumes, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that his colorful and voluminous garments captured the excesses and defined the extravagant frivolity of the 1980s as well as the sensuality and boldness of the 1990s.
Lacroix studied art history at the University of Montpellier and museum studies at École du Louvre and the Sorbonne in Paris. He aspired to become a museum curator or costume designer but instead entered the world of fashion, specifically haute couture, with the support of his now-wife Françoise Rosenthiel, who helped get his sketches to Hermès. Lacroix was offered an assistant job at the legendary luxury brand and later worked as a designer at the House of Patou in 1981.
Lacroix’s career flourished and his profile soared from then on, as he established his own label in 1987, using layers of fabric and consistently clashing prints in his designs for opulent pouf skirts, vibrant floral maxi day dresses as well as jewelry and watches that commanded attention. He created a ready-to-wear line for Italian manufacturer Genny and dressed dancers at the American Ballet Theatre company.
Lacroix became the artistic director of Italian fashion house Emilio Pucci in 2002, and, over time, he continued to secure work in the fields of theater, opera and other performance art, designing costumes for a range of stage productions. Alongside designs by Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfeld and others, Madonna wore a corset during her 2004 “Re-Invention World Tour” that was created for her by Lacroix.
Today, the maison founded by the designer in 1987 is owned by the Falic Fashion Group, but Lacroix continues to design womenswear for brands such as Desigual as well as for the stage. His larger-than-life aesthetic has also been translated into a range of accessories and fragrances as well as various interior furnishings such as tableware and household linens. Lacroix has completed interior design projects at a number of hotels and has partnered with the likes of Christofle and other firms over the years. In whatever form it takes, the sumptuousness and glamour of a Lacroix design is unmistakable.
Find a range of vintage Christian Lacroix clothing, jewelry and accessories on 1stDibs.
Christian Lacroix Vintage Rare Silver Toned Allegoric Paperweight
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Nice, FR
CHRISTIAN LACROIX vintage rare silver toned paperweight statue featuring a possible allegory of the Antarctica continent. Collector item. Embossed CHRISTIAN LACROIX France. Maker's...
Christian Lacroix "Heart" Paperweight
By Christian Lacroix
Located in New York, NY
Christian Lacroix "2002" heart-shaped paperweight is engraved with "Christian Lacroix", "2002", peace signs and a large "hands-down" carving on top. Measurements are 2" in height, 7/...
Christian Lacroix Vintage 1998 Limited Edition Silver Plated Unicorn Paperweight
By Christian Lacroix, Christofle
Located in Nice, FR
CHRISTIAN LACROIX rare 1998 limited edition silver plated unicorn paperweight. Manufactured by CHRISTOFLE Paris. Signed CL and dated 1998. Indicative measurements : base approx. 6...
Christian Lacroix Mother Of Pearl Brooch & Pendant
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Christian Lacroix Mother Of Pearl Brooch & Pendant. Elegant and distinctive, this Christian Lacroix brooch and pendant features a luminous mothe...
$250
H 1.75 in W 7.25 in D 5.5 in
Cartier Gold Buddha Amulet Luxury Desk Stationery Card and Envelope Set in Box
By Cartier
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Cartier Card and Envelope Set with the Iconic Cartier Gold Seated Buddha Pendant Jewelry Design. Authentic Luxury Cartier Stationery Card Letter and...
Hermès NIB Samarcande Paperweight
By Hermès
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Hermès Samarcande paperweight is beautifully sculptured with lightly sanded edges and a base made from cowhide. Comes with ribbon and...
Hermes Tray Jungle Love Emerald Limoges Porcelain New w/ Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers an Hermes Jungle Love Limoges porcelain tray featured in Emerald. Hand painted porcelain with hand painted platinum trim. This beloved print is timeless and highly ...
Burberry Braided Leather Bracelet – Brown
By Burberry
Located in Amman, JO
Burberry Braided Leather Bracelet – Brown (Gold-Tone Clasp) Elevate your everyday accessories with this Burberry Braided Leather Bracelet. Crafted in black woven leather, this piece...
Hermès Silver Paper Clip Money Clip Bookmark Dog Head
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Extremaly Rare and Lovely Authentic Hermès Clip Rounded end decorated with a dog's head in profile Can be used as money clip or paper clip, bookmark Vintage Item Made of silver ...
Hermès Sterling Silver Money Clip
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare Authentic Hermès Money Clip Couture spirit with its openwork stitches Made of sterling silver 925 (minerva hallmark) Colorway: silvery "HERMÈS Ag 925" engraved at back Meas...
$417Sale Price|40% Off
1970s Gucci Pewter Mini Sparrow Votive Holder Desk Accessory
By Gucci
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a miniature votive holder/trinket bowl by Gucci in the 1970s. In the form of a small sparrow, this piece is made of heavy silver-toned metal a...
Chanel Black and White Game Series Rugby Football
By Chanel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Chanel Black and White Game Series Rugby Football is in pristine condition. Rare and collectible item. PBF 13076
Hermès Feathers Ashtray Change Tray Porcelain Gold
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Beautiful Authentic Hermès Ashtray Print: Feathers Made in France Vintage Item Made of porcelain, edges and notches hand- painted with fine gold Colorways: white, blue, green ...
$3,024
H 2.56 in W 3.35 in L 6.3 in
Hermès Wood Set Pipe and Pipe Holder Paperweight Horse Saddle Rodeo Texas
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Exceptional Authentic Hermès Setof Pipe and Pipe Holder Pipe Holder: in the shape of a small horse saddle Can be used as paperweight Rare vintage item Great gift for any pipe smo...
HERMES Vintage Silver Plated Horse Head Equestrian Desk Tray
By Hermès
Located in Nice, FR
HERMES vintage silver plated horse head equestrian desk tray featuring a crosshatching design. Originally designed as a desk accessory for pens and pencils, it can also accommodate ...
$2,975Sale Price|23% Off
Gucci Italy Extremely Rare Sterling Silver Art Deco Vanity Grooming Set c 1950
By Gucci
Located in University City, MO
Gucci Italy Extremely rare sterling silver art deco vanity grooming set c 1950 The opulent sterling silver Gucci grooming set consist of a hand mirror, a handle brush, a rectangular hand brush, a rectangular glass cosmetic box and a circular glass cosmetic jar The sterling silver accessories are designed with impressed grooved linear striped bands. A crown symbol is engraved in a smooth polished circular band on each accessory Makes an exquisite decorative collectible placed on a vanity dressing table. The crisp severe art deco design has an unisex aesthetic Four of the grooming accessories are stamped: Gucci 925...
CHRISTIAN LACROIX Vintage America Porcelain Pin Tray
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Nice, FR
CHRISTIAN LACROIX large porcelain pin tray America from the Five Continents collection. Marked CHRISTIAN LACROIX. Indicative measurements : length approx. 19.2 cm (7.56 inches) / w...
CHRISTIAN LACROIX Vintage Rare Three Boutique Jewelry Displays
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Nice, FR
CHRISTIAN LACROIX vintage rare set of three boutique jewelry displays. Free form structure covered with black velvet. Gold tone textured sun...
Christian Lacroix for Christofle Gold Starburst Decorated Tray
By Christian Lacroix, Christofle
Located in New Hope, PA
Christian Lacroix has moved from fashion design to interior design and this white tray for Christofle with a gold starburst in the center and gold on the edges is an excellent exampl...
Christian Lacroix New Gold Hand Blown Glass Heart Ornament with Tassel
By Christian Lacroix
Located in San Francisco, CA
Christian Lacroix gold mouth blown and hand painted glass heart ornament with bead accents and a multicolored tassel at bottom. Signed "CL' at a sun shaped charm at top. Made in Pol...
Sold
H 2.96 in W 1.46 in L 2.68 in
Christian Lacroix Rare 1998 Limited Edition Silver Plated Unicorn Paperweight
By Christian Lacroix, Christofle
Located in Nice, FR
CHRISTIAN LACROIX rare 1998 limited edition silver plated unicorn paperweight. Manufactured by CHRISTOFLE. Signed CL and dated 1998. JEWELRY CONDITION CHART - New or never ...