Latest news with #AlberElbaz
The Age
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
Maggie Alderson no longer ‘wastes' her money on this designer item
This story is part of the June 1 edition of Sunday Life. See all 14 stories. Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, writer Maggie Alderson. How would you describe your style? It's a high-low mix of new, second-hand and what I call 'me vintage' – designer pieces that I've had for longer than 20 years. What are the oldest things in your wardrobe? A black velvet opera coat from the 1920s and my dad's cashmere cardigans. They are my treasures. And the most recent addition? A pair of dark denim wide-leg jeans. I'm trying to limit my new garments to six a year; I'm at three already. What would you wear … on a first date? A leopard-print Moschino blazer with Gucci tailored pants from the 2000s, one of my silk blouses with a necktie, a pair of mad trainers and one of my good bags from the days when I used to waste money on designer handbags. … on a plane? I like to be elegant. I'll wear chinos with a chic sweatshirt, a blazer and silk scarf. My husband always wears a suit. … on the red carpet? A silk dress by Alber Elbaz for Lanvin. What's your favourite fashion era? The '90s was great for fashion. Tom Ford for Gucci was the epitome of it. That red velvet suit was a moment. Who are your favourite fashion designers? John Galliano, Alexander McQueen and Phoebe Philo. What's your fragrance of choice? Grandiflora's 'Magnolia Michel'. What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? A cashmere stole, a nylon cross-body bag and a good tuxedo jacket.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Maggie Alderson no longer ‘wastes' her money on this designer item
This story is part of the June 1 edition of Sunday Life. See all 14 stories. Each week, we quiz a prominent person about their style and the inspiration behind it. Ahead, writer Maggie Alderson. How would you describe your style? It's a high-low mix of new, second-hand and what I call 'me vintage' – designer pieces that I've had for longer than 20 years. What are the oldest things in your wardrobe? A black velvet opera coat from the 1920s and my dad's cashmere cardigans. They are my treasures. And the most recent addition? A pair of dark denim wide-leg jeans. I'm trying to limit my new garments to six a year; I'm at three already. What would you wear … on a first date? A leopard-print Moschino blazer with Gucci tailored pants from the 2000s, one of my silk blouses with a necktie, a pair of mad trainers and one of my good bags from the days when I used to waste money on designer handbags. … on a plane? I like to be elegant. I'll wear chinos with a chic sweatshirt, a blazer and silk scarf. My husband always wears a suit. … on the red carpet? A silk dress by Alber Elbaz for Lanvin. What's your favourite fashion era? The '90s was great for fashion. Tom Ford for Gucci was the epitome of it. That red velvet suit was a moment. Who are your favourite fashion designers? John Galliano, Alexander McQueen and Phoebe Philo. What's your fragrance of choice? Grandiflora's 'Magnolia Michel'. What are the three essential items in your wardrobe? A cashmere stole, a nylon cross-body bag and a good tuxedo jacket.
Fashion United
15-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
Struggles at Lanvin Group as parent company eyes asset sales
Fosun International's efforts to build a global luxury portfolio under its fashion arm the Lanvin Group, may be in flux. The Chinese conglomerate, which spent the last decade acquiring high-end brands including Lanvin, Wolford, and St. John Knits, is now reported to be open to divesting from some of its fashion investments, highlighting the challenges of translating financial ambition into fashion success. At the heart of these challenges is Lanvin, France's oldest couture house. Despite Peter Copping's well-received debut in January, the brand, once seen as the centrepiece of Fosun's fashion strategy that survived wars and revolutions, has struggled to regain relevance despite attempts at revitalisation. The New York Times said the brand had been on 'life support' since Alber Elbaz's ousting in 2015. It remains to be seen how well Copping's first collection will do at retail once it hits the shelves. Fosun took control of Lanvin in 2018 and later bundled the brand into Lanvin Group alongside other fashion houses, aiming to create operational synergies and prepare for a public listing. However, persistent underperformance, creative turnover, and branding missteps have hampered progress. A year of transformation In April, Lanvin Group CEO Zhen Huang offered a cautiously positive outlook. "2024 was a year of transformation for Lanvin Group. While market conditions were challenging, we made critical strides in strengthening our brands, optimizing our operations, and laying the groundwork for future growth. With our renewed creative leadership and disciplined execution, we are confident in our ability to navigate the evolving luxury landscape and deliver long-term value," he said. However, some industry observers remain skeptical, noting that unlike Burberry — where new CEO Joshua Schulman has taken a more introspective approach — Lanvin Group appears more focused on macroeconomic explanations than deep course correction. While it is easy to blame market conditions, the reality is that there's been poor stewardship, high turnover and a lack of clarity in design and operations. Burberry has faced similar pressures, but its leadership, along with creative director Daniel Lee, has been willing to make difficult changes. Will Lanvin Deputy CEO Siddhartha Shukla and Peter Copping make similar strides? According to reports by Miss Tweed, Fosun is now quietly open to sell not only its houses but also reportedly offloading tangible assets, such as buildings and production facilities, in an effort to raise capital and reduce operational costs. This signals not just cost-cutting but also a move away from long-term brand investment. The timing is particularly difficult, as global luxury demand has softened in key markets like China and Europe. A looming trade war and changing consumer priorities have made it harder for brands without a strong narrative or clearly defined identity to maintain relevance. Fosun's fashion strategy, once heralded as a bold push into the luxury space, is now being viewed by some in the industry as a case study in overreach. A deep understanding of European luxury is needed Creating a fashion group is not just about scaling up, of course. Without a deep understanding of what makes a brand special, you risk turning decades of heritage into something irrelevant. As sales decline and pressure intensifies, Lanvin's future hangs in the balance. Whether the brand — or its parent Group — will sell, double down on investment, or succeed in restoring market relevance remains to be seen. Much now rests on Peter Copping's Fall 2025 collection, which industry observers hope could be the spark Lanvin needs — or a final confirmation that the house has become a ghost of its former self.
