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 "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 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...
Christian Lacroix Vintage 1998 Limited Edition Silver Plated Unicorn Paperweight
By Christofle, Christian Lacroix
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 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...
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 ...
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...
Louis Vuitton Brown Damier Print Agenda
By Louis Vuitton
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Louis Vuitton Brown Damier Print Agenda/Planner. Featuring the iconic Damier print in brown, gold hardware and accompanied by gold pen. Planner is for the...
ALESSI Giulio Iacchetti 'Bis' Snake Letter Opener, 2013
By Alessi
Located in Atlanta, GA
Meet the elusive paper snake ... sleek, functional, fun to hold and even better to observe. This 2013 stainless steel snake shaped letter opener is by Italian industrial designer Giu...
Hermes Porosus Crocodile Globetrotter Agenda Orange Feu
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Guaranteed authentic Hermes Globetrotter Agenda beautiful Porosus Crocodile featured in Orange Feu. Inside lined in Chevre leather with rear slot p...
$2,475Sale Price|36% 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...
Hermès Vintage Guilloche Horse Head Ashtray by Ravinet d'Enfert
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Lovely Authentic Hermès Ashtray The silver tray is beautifully guilloché, adorned with a horse's head on one side and a cigarette notch on the other. Can also be used as change tra...
$186Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.15 in W 3.15 in D 3.15 in Dm 3.15 in
Vintage rock crystal and metal table lighter Mid-Century Italy
Located in VALLADOLID, ES
Rock crystal and metal table lighter, Mid-Century, 1960s - France Material: Rock crystal and metal Period: 1960s Country of origin: France Good condition commensurate with age an...
$1,451
H 1.58 in W 6.34 in L 7.76 in
Hermès Porcelain Cigar Ashtay Change Tray Yacht Porthole Boat Navy Theme
By Hermès
Located in Corcoué Sur Logne, Loire-Atlantique
Rare and Lovely Authentic Hermès Ashtray Print: porthole, lifebuoy and pulleys Ideal for your yacht or perfect gift for any boat, sea, navy, navigation and sailing lover Made in F...
$350
W 1.38 in L 3.15 in
Compact Antique Folding Lorgnette Opera Glasses in Gold-Plated Frame, c. 1910s
Located in Honolulu, HI
Discover the pinnacle of Victorian and Edwardian refinement with this remarkably compact antique lorgnette. Sourced from London, this exquisite piece is defined by its ultra-compact,...
Hermes Manufacture des Boucleries Mini Ashtray Set of Two Porcelain New w/Box
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Mightychic offers a rare Hermes Manufacture des Boucleries set of two ( 2 ) mini ashtrays. Rouge H and Terracotta colorway. A perfect accent piece f...
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 Christofle, Christian Lacroix
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...
Christian Lacroix Porcleain Two Piece Set Desk Table Trays
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Chicago, IL
CURATOR'S NOTES Porcelain Hand-painted Measures 3.25" W x 3.25" L x 3.25" D Includes two trays as shown
Sold
H 2.96 in W 1.46 in L 2.68 in
Christian Lacroix Rare 1998 Limited Edition Silver Plated Unicorn Paperweight
By Christofle, Christian Lacroix
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 ...