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 1990s Black Gold Accent Pocket Front Maxi Wrap Dress Gown
By Christian Lacroix
Located in San Francisco, CA
Christian Lacroix vintage black full length wrap dress with gold embellishment at one strap. Fastens closed at other strap and wraps with belt and snap at waist. Patch pockets at fr...
$925Sale Price|25% Off
Christian Lacroix Bustier Dress with Bow at Back Small
By Christian Lacroix, Christian Lacroix Paris
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Christian Lacroix vintage bustier dress "Collectors item" We offer more exclusive vintage items, view our frontstore Details: One piece bustier...
Christian Lacroix 1980s Beaded Silk Dress
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Water Mill, NY
A beautiful black silk cocktail dress from Christian Lacroix with elaborate beading and sequins in magenta, rose, silver and red. The pointed bodice has beaded spaghetti straps and i...
$288Sale Price|30% Off
Christian Lacroix Vintage Trompe L'Oeil Print Sleeveless Turtleneck Dress Size M
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Nice, FR
CHRISTIAN LACROIX vintage trompe l'œil bustier, jewels and lace print sleeveless turtleneck dress. The front bottom is made of gold lame with a lace pattern (see photo 11). The back...
1990s Christian Lacroix Large Size Brown Black Silk Chenille 90s Mini Dress
By Christian Lacroix
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous vintage 90s CHRISTIAN LACROIX brown and black silk chenille larger size strapless mini dress ! Features a beautiful brown silk chenille fabric embrodiered with hearts and pa...
1990s Christian Lacroix Avant Garde Size 36 2 /4 Vintage Black 90s Skater Dress
By Christian Lacroix Paris, Christian Lacroix
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic early 90s CHRISTIAN LACROIX Avant Garde black rayon skater dress! Features a tailored boned bodice with curved edges at each armpit. Hidden zipper up the back with hook-and-eye ...
Cocktail bustier dress in lurex and thread lace Christian Lacroix Bazar
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Cocktail bustier dress in lurex and thread lace on a black tulle base . Fabric composition: 47% polyamide, 33% polyester, 20% rayon. Lining: acetate & rayon. SIZE 42 (fR) L
2000 Christian Lacroix Bias Cut 1930s-Inspired Rayon Jersey Floral Print Dress
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Gresham, OR
A flirty 2000s Christian Lacroix bias-cut 1930s-inspired rayon jersey dress with stylized floral print: Mid-calf length. Ruffle and tie detail at cu...
Vintage Christian Lacroix Black and White Fit n' Flare Strapless Button Dress
By Christian Lacroix
Located in San Diego, CA
Sensational 1990s vintage CHRISTIAN LACROIX Couture black and white dress! Features a black silk and cotton netting throughout. Five ...
Emilio Pucci By Christian Lacroix Printed Stretch-Jersey Dress, Fall-Winter 2003
By Emilio Pucci, Christian Lacroix
Located in Geneva, CH
Since the beginning of the 50's until today, the Italian - Florentine based - label has celebrated color, movement and bold, exuberant prints. From the 2003 Fall-Winter collection wh...
Christian Lacroix 1990's Black Strapless Dress with Oversized Paillette Sequins
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Super stunner by Christian Lacroix. Black strapless cocktail dress in matelasse and organza with velvet empire waist bacd. Built in corselet. Signature bubble hem. Peekaboo panel o...
1990's Pink & Green Christian Lacroix Ruffle detail Wrap around Linen Dress
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Sheffield, GB
Chic, 2000's Vintage Wrap around dress by Christian Lacroix, elegantly constructed in a Pink & Green two-tone linen with a ruffle detailed pl...
Christian Lacroix Long multicolor jersey printed dress
By Christian Lacroix
Located in CANNES, FR
Christian Lacroix Long jersey multicolor printed dress. Size M.
Printed backless dress CHRISTIAN LACROIX
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Printed backless dress . Fabric composition: 98% polyester, 2% spandex. Lining: 100% polyester. Invisible zip closure on the middle back + hook&eye. Drawstring on the bust which get ...
Pale green cocktail dress with belt Christian Lacroix Jean's
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Pale green cocktail dress with belt. Main fabric: 56% cotton, 44% rayon. No indication for the lining composition but probably rayon. High-waisted...
A Christian Lacroix Silk and Lace Cocktail dress Circa 1995/2000
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1995/2000. France Beautiful cocktail dress for an event in silk and lace by Christian Lacroix dating from the late 1990s. Fitted dress with a bottom in white wild silk covered ...
Cocktail dress in printed silk and rayon knit with ruffles Christian Lacroix
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Cocktail dress in printed silk and rayon knit with ruffles. Knit composition: 50% rayon, 50% cotton. Printed fabric: 100% silk. See-through in the back. SIZE L
Vintage 2000's Bazar By Christian Lacroix Polka Dots Patchwork Wrap Dress
By Christian Lacroix
Located in London, GB
Vintage 2000's Bazar by Christian Lacroix polka dots patchwork wrap mini dress. Features a patchwork polka dots print all over, in different size and colours. Asymmetric ruffles at t...
Y2k Gold Knitted Christian Lacroix Sheer lace Panelled Lamé Logo Mini Dress
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Sheffield, GB
Chic, 2000's Vintage Mini dress by Christian Lacroix, in a shimmery Gold Lamé Knit with a sheer lace panel detailed front and printed signature logo reverse. MADE IN ITALY. We reco...
Christian Lacroix bustier dress
By Christian Lacroix
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
CHRISTIAN LACROIX - (Made in France) Long bustier dress in silk taffeta and purple satin. 40FR size indicated. To be mentioned, a few stains on the taffeta. Condition: Good conditio...
$247Sale Price|30% Off
Christian Lacroix Vintage Corset Print Maxi Lace Dress
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Nice, FR
CHRISTIAN LACROIX vintage multicolor lace tank maxi dress featuring a corset print at front with CHRISTIAN LACROIX signature. Slips on. Has stretch. Label reads BAZAR de CHRISTIAN...
A Christian Lacroix Dress in Printed Velvet Circa 1991/2000
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 1991/2000 France Beautiful skin-tight dress by Christian Lacroix in printed velvet dating from the 1990s. Iridescent stretch elasthane velvet with golden patterns on a black ba...
Christian Lacroix Vintage silk matelasse off shoulder dress with rhinestones
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vintage late 90s Christian Lacroix Navy blue silk matelasse off shoulder dress with rhinestones. Perfect for summer cocktail dress. Bust: 34"-...
Christian Lacroix Black Cotton Mini Dress
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Resurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Christian Lacroix black cotton mini dress, featuring a fit and flare silhouette, square neckline, pleated flared skirt, short cap s...
Christian Lacroix 1990s Knit Sequined Dress
By Christian Lacroix
Located in PARIS, FR
Crafted knit fabric with a rich, textured stitch and sculptural zigzag panels that cinch the waist. Accentuated with glossy round sequins sown across the bodice, adding refined spark...
Rare Christian Lacroix multi-colored "Hearts" Holiday suit
By Christian Lacroix
Located in New York, NY
This rare whimsical Christian Lacroix multi-colored, multi-patterned cotton poplin suit has colors of fuchsia, purple, white and reds accented with "Hearts" printed patterns a...
2000S Christian Lacroix Black Sheer Chantilly Lace Gown
By Christian Lacroix
Located in New York, NY
2000S Christian Lacroix Black Sheer Chantilly Lace Gown
S/S 1993 Christian Lacroix Runway Black Gold Sculptural Jewelry Bead Gown 40FR
By Christian Lacroix
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This black Christian Lacroix slip gown from the Spring/Summer 1993 collection debuted on the season’s runway, modeled by Yasmin Ghauri in a red variation. The floor-length gown featu...
Printed stretch jersey dress Christian LACROIX
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Printed cotton stretch jersey dress. Bow on the top middle front. SIZE S
1990s Christian Lacroix Leopard Cheetah Animal Print Size 8 Vintage 90s Dress
By Christian Lacroix Paris, Christian Lacroix
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic 90s CHRISTIAN LACROIX leopard animal print rayon dress ! Features tribal print at hem in red, pink and brown. Hidden zipper up the back with hook-and-eye closure. Great belted o...
$1,193Sale Price|30% Off
1990's Christian Lacroix Paris Floral Cocktail Summer Gown Dress
By Christian Lacroix, Christian Lacroix Paris
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Christian Lacroix vintage green floral maxi cocktail dress "Collectors item" We offer more exclusive vintage items, view our frontstore Details: One piece dress with open front sp...
1988 Documented Christian Lacroix Couture Rose Print Dress
By Christian Lacroix
Located in London, GB
A true treasure, this incredible dress walked the runway as part of Christian Lacroix’s memorable Spring 1988 collection. This rare and highly collectable piece is from Lacroix’s sho...
Vintage CHRISTIAN LACROIX Silk Soutache Lace Ecru Dress
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage CHRISTIAN LACROIX Silk Soutache Lace Ecru Dress Measurements taken laid flat, please double bust, waist and hips: Shoulder: 14.17 inches (36 cm) Bu...
Bazaar Christian LaCroix Lavander Knit Dress
By Christian Lacroix
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Rock a crochet look with our knit dress from Christian LaCroix's Bazaar line! Made of a soft, intricately woven lavender striped knit with open weaving along the bust line and straps...
Christian Lacroix Mid-length Dress with Multicolored Floral Patterns
By Christian Lacroix
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Christian Lacroix - (Made in France) Mid-length dress with a black transparent top and a black skirt with multicolored floral patterns. No size indicated, it fits a 36FR. Additional...