The career of Jeanne Lanvin (1867–1946) and her eponymous brand began with a millinery apprenticeship in the late 19th century. Today, Lanvin Paris is a globally revered company and is among the oldest French fashion houses still in existence. It is renowned for its exquisite and sought-after vintage evening dresses, shoes, skirts and other garments and accessories and for having dressed such high-profile celebrities as Meryl Streep, Natalie Portman, Kim Kardashian and Sienna Miller.
In 1889, when her apprenticeship came to an end, the young French designer Jeanne Lanvin opened a custom hat shop on the rue Boissy d’Anglas in Paris. Four years later, she moved her business into a much more prominent space on the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, one of the world’s most famous luxury fashion districts.
The new Maison Lanvin was big enough to display the pieces she would design for her daughter, Marguerite, who was born in 1897. The relationship between Lanvin and her daughter would be at the core of the brand, with a 1907 photograph of Jeanne and Marguerite in matching outfits inspiring the fashion house’s enduring logo.
In 1908, Lanvin launched a line of children’s clothing, one of the first such moves in high-end fashion. When mothers came in to buy the clothes, they often asked for similar designs for themselves.
Lanvin decided to introduce a women’s wear line with pieces that had a youthful femininity. This would grow to encompass everyday clothing, dresses, coats, lingerie and furs, as well as menswear, perfume and household items. Once she became a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture (Parisian Fashion Council) in 1909, her title officially switched from milliner to designer.
Along with her stylish designs, Lanvin identified the importance of brand identity through fabric colors, opening a dye factory in Nanterre, France. There the distinctive “Lanvin blue” was produced, so even if her designs were copied, the colors could never be exactly reproduced.
After Jeanne Lanvin's death, her daughter, Marguerite Marie-Blanche de Polignac, took over and a series of talented artistic directors would propel the brand through the trends of the 20th century, including Jules François Crahay, Dominique Morlotti, Alber Elbaz and, most recently, Bruno Sialelli. In 2018, Lanvin was acquired by the Fosun Fashion Group, which is now focused on celebrating Lanvin’s heritage while pushing it into a new chapter.
Find vintage Lanvin Paris clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
Hilton McConnico and Hour Lavigne for Lanvin, Mantel Clock, Mid-Century Design
By Hilton McConnico, Hour Lavigne, Lanvin Paris
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb and extremely rare limited edition Memphis mid-century design blue cement, beaver hair and plexiglas mantel clock by Hilton McConnico for Lanvin, manufactured by Hour Lavigne ...
Cement, Metal
Mid-Century 'Marina' Mantel Clock by Jaeger LeCoultre
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A 'Marina' Mantel clock by Jaeger LeCoultre with inset brass decorating and original 8 day movement. Stamped 'Marina' to lower right corner. White Perspex with brass dial and case.
Brass
19th Century French mantel clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality late 19th Century French gilded ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock, having a seated cherub holding the rains of a winged dragon pulling a scrolling foliate ...
Ormolu
19th Century Gilded Ormolu and Bronze Mantel Clock
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive late 19th century French gilded ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock. Having three putti mounted to the top each playing musical instruments. The clock having an ei...
Bronze, Ormolu
$610
H 7 in W 9 in D 3 in
Atomic Mid Century Teak Danish Modern European Westclox Pedestal Mantel Clock
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Vintage 1950s Mid Century Teak Danish Modern European Westclox Pedestal Battery Operated Desk Mantle Clock Scotland Stunning, Very Rare, Vintage 50s, Pedestaled, Hand-Moulded bent w...
Metal
$3,574
H 6.25 in W 8.75 in D 2 in
Jaeger LeCoultre Mid-Century Marina Mantel Clock with Oriental Theme No. 349
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in London, GB
Stunning Jaeger LeCoultre mid-century marina desk clock with an Oriental theme, number 349. The clock has a polished gilt brass and lucite case. It is beautifully decorated with an O...
Brass
$6,118
H 16 in W 18.5 in D 6.25 in
French porcelain and ormolu mantel clock with silver highlights mantel clock
Located in London, GB
French porcelain and ormolu mantel clock with silver highlights mantel clock. A superb Napoleon III clock in the Louis XVIth style. The original fire/mercury gilt ormolu in very good...
Bronze
Mid-Century Brass Zodiac Wall, Table or Mantel Clock, Germany, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful heavy Mid-Century Modern brass desk clock with a brass clocks face. Executed in the 1960s by an german manufacturer. we think Movement was...
Metal, Brass
$3,900Sale Price|50% Off
H 14.57 in W 15.36 in D 5.32 in
French Ormolu Mantel Clock pendulum France, Mid-Late 19th Century
Located in Lantau, HK
A French ormolu mantel clock French, mid-late 19th century Measres: Height 37 cm, width 39 cm, depth 13.5 cm. A late 19th century French gilt-bronze (ormolu) and marble mantel clock ...
Marble, Ormolu
Mid Century Chinese Cloissoné Mantel Clock
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Chinese Cloisonné Mantel Clock Decorate your mantlepiece with this intricately designed cloisonné clock. The clock face is ...
Metal
Mantel Clock 19th Century Empire
Located in Warsaw, PL
Figural mantel clock signed “Al. dre Destape Palais Royal” The bronze figural mantel clock depicting one of the mythical heroes - Orpheus originates from the Empire period. The cloc...
Bronze
Unusual French 24 Hour Four Glass Mantel Clock
By Japy Frères
Located in Norwich, GB
Unusual French 24 Hour Four Glass Mantel Clock French four glass clock housed in a bow fronted brass case with beautifully figured marble top ...
Marble
$975
H 22.5 in W 14 in D 9.5 in
Vintage Large Mid Century Modern Pendulum Mantel Clock in Lucite and Brass 1970s
Located in Troy, MI
Large Vintage Lucite Brass Pendulum Mantel Clock 1970s A rare lucite and brass mantel clock circa 1970s Unique modern design with floating brass...
Brass