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.
Gucci Runway Lamb Leather Python-Print Trench Coat Italian size 40
By Gucci
Located in Montgomery, TX
An exceptional statement trench coat from Gucci, crafted in Italy from luxe lamb leather with a bold python-print motif—an arresting blend of texture, color, and couture craftsmanshi...
Gucci Snakeskin Taupe trench coat
By Frida Giannini, Gucci
Located in CANNES, FR
Gucci Taupe snakeskin and lambskin trench coat with belt. Very good condition (slight marks, see photo). Italian size 40.
$1,401
Size: equivalent to French size 38
A Balmain printed Boa style trench coat - Paris Circa 2010-2020
By Balmain
Located in Toulon, FR
Circa 2010-2020. France Polyester trench coat with a snake print by the famous fashion house Balmain, dating from 2010-2020. This vintage-style trench coat features a boa snake print...
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
Size: Small
Lanvin Alber Elbaz F/W 2013 Leopard Fur & Taffeta Belted Trench Coat
By Lanvin Paris
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Moroccan-born designer Alber Elbaz is remembered as much for his love of people as he is for his astounding talent and creative philosophy. Credited with revitalizing the French fash...
Nylon leopard printed double-breasted trench-coat Lanvin by Alber Elbaz 2010
By Lanvin Paris
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Nylon leopard printed double-breasted trench-coat.No lining. SIZE M/L
Max Mara Studio Panetto Coat in Animal Print Viscose
By Max Mara
Located in Houston, TX
Max Mara Studio’s Panetto Coat is where minimalism meets bold statement. Rendered in a striking snake print, this collarless silhouette channels elevated edge with signature Italian ...
S/S 2004 PRADA Runway Beige Brown Python Leather Belted Trench Coat
By Miuccia Prada, Prada
Located in Munich, DE
This exceptional coat was Look 3 in the Spring 2004 line-up from fashion icon Miuccia Prada. Vogue Runway said of this collection: "Over almost a decade of ground-breaking experimentalism, Miuccia Prada has explored everything from irony to deliberate ugliness to intellectual subversion. She’s been there, done that, and has the souvenirs to prove it. For Spring 2004, the designer turned her attention to the stiffest fashion challenge of the day: how to make feminine, happily nostalgic clothes without rehashing the clichés of vintage? “It was about tourism and craftsmanship, many things,” she said of a show that revisited the optimistic fifties to bring back a full set of densely packed suitcases. Out tumbled every possible variation on the classic touring wardrobe: circle skirts printed with illustrated Mediterranean scenes, shirtwaists and Capri pants, sundresses and bathing suits, button-through skirts and lovely evening frocks, silk madras bras and little tulle full-skirted dance dresses. What set the collection apart were the subtle twists, like the way Prada will gently mess up fabric with dip-dye and tie-dye, turn seams inside out, or leave edges raw. Something in the proportion of her neat little tops, belted slightly above the waist, to the fullness and length of her skirts, to the height of her T-strap shoes or pumps, inexplicably excuses the silhouette from the frumpiness of the literal fifties line. Meanwhile, students of Pradaology will note that her sight-seeing tour also revisits some favorite landmarks of her own career: the silk pleated goddess dresses, fur tippets...
PRADA cream & brown PYTHON TRENCH Coat Jacket 42 M
By Prada
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Prada trench coat in brown and cream python with a notch collar. Comes with a matching belt. Closes on the front with buttons. Unlined. Has been worn and is in excelle...
NWT ROBERTO CAVALLI Snake Fur Fox Coat Jacket Italian 44 - US 8
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Montgomery, TX
New ROBERTO CAVALLI Snake and Fur Coat Italian size 44 - US 8 Color - Terracotta Real Snake Skin and Fox Fur, Front Zip Closure, Fully Lined, Straight Silhouette. Measurements: Lengt...
Cotton Trench-coat with animal print Circa 1960's
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Cotton Trench-coat with animal print. Main fabric composition: 98% cotton, 2% elastane. Rayon or acetate lining. Shoulder pad. Belt with buckle and belt-loop. Pocket on both side. B...
