Lanvin
Lanvin Group · France
Lanvin is the oldest French fashion house still in operation, founded in Paris in 1889 by Jeanne Lanvin. It is the flagship brand of Lanvin Group, the NYSE-listed luxury group formerly known as Fosun Fashion Group. Peter Copping has been artistic director since September 2024.
| Founded | 1889, Paris |
|---|---|
| Founder | Jeanne Lanvin |
| Owner | Lanvin Group (controlled by Fosun) |
| Artistic director | Peter Copping (since 2024) |
| Headquarters | 22 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris |
| Presence | More than 50 countries and regions |
| Website | lanvin.com |
What is Lanvin?
Lanvin is a Parisian luxury house known for its signature Lanvin blue, bold colour and decorative craftsmanship. It produces women's and men's ready-to-wear, men's bespoke and made-to-measure tailoring, accessories, leather goods, childrenswear and fragrance. It belongs to Lanvin Group, which also owns Sergio Rossi, Wolford and St. John.
History
Jeanne Lanvin founded the house in Paris in 1889. It launched the first designer children's line in 1908 and joined the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture in 1909. Its logo was drawn by the illustrator Paul Iribe in 1923. The fragrance Arpège, launched in 1927, became the house's signature scent.
In 2001 an investor group headed by Shaw-Lan Wang bought the house. In 2018 Shanghai-based Fosun International acquired Lanvin, and in October 2021 its fashion arm was renamed Lanvin Group. The group is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Peter Copping became artistic director in September 2024, leading both women's and men's collections.
Products and positioning
Lanvin is positioned in the luxury segment with a strong couture heritage. Notable elements include:
- Ready-to-wear for women and men
- Men's bespoke and made-to-measure tailoring
- Leather goods and footwear
- Childrenswear, a category the house pioneered
- Fragrances such as Arpège
Business model and distribution
According to Lanvin Group, the brand is present in more than 50 countries and regions through boutiques, wholesale partners and e-commerce. Licensing also plays a role, including an arrangement with Itochu in Japan. The headquarters remain at 22 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris.
Why it matters
Lanvin is a test case for Chinese ownership of a historic European fashion house and for building a listed multi-brand luxury group around it. Its long heritage gives it strong brand recognition, while its recent history has focused on restoring creative stability.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Lanvin?
Lanvin is owned by Lanvin Group, the NYSE-listed luxury group formerly called Fosun Fashion Group. Shanghai-based Fosun International acquired the house in 2018.
Is Lanvin the oldest French fashion house?
Lanvin was founded in 1889 by Jeanne Lanvin and is described as the oldest French fashion house still in operation. It is also credited with launching the first designer children's line in 1908.