'Lanvin Love'

Lanvin hits H&M this past weekend

Never has there been so much excitement among my fast-fashionistas since TopShop opened its own flagship store in Soho in April 2009. Not even Matthew Williamson’s capsule collection for H&M merited this much excitement.

Of course, no other brand represents luxe and glamour like Lanvin. Lanvin for H&M launched this weekend with plenty of color, detailed construction and menswear accents one might expect from a Parisian luxury name.

Lanvin for H&M runway show Nov. 18

Designer collaborations with mega-retailers are not an unusual phenomenon, much in the same way celebrities have started their own lines. Lanvin welcomed this challenge and invested in a calculated multi-media marketing campaign that supersedes all other “fast-fashion collabos” of the past.

Teaser images of the collection were available earlier this month along with a well-executed video starring Natasha Poly and models in vibrant yellow Lanvin dresses prancing around in a hotel room. Creative Director Alber Elbaz, who appears in the video at a desk sketching pieces of the collection, plans to sell five original sketches on the line’s Web site until Nov. 26. All proceeds benefit UNICEF.

Anna Dello Russo walks the Lanvin for H&M runway show

Last week, Elbaz played host to a launch party and runway presentation of the luxe-for-less collection. Attendees Anna Sui, Sofia Coppola and Alexander Wang all came to draw attention to the stylish looks, which were modeled by Vogue Japan’s Anna Dello Russo and Pixie Geldof. The bow-tie wearing Elbaz has been spotted around New York City since, posing for pictures and generating as much media buzz among the fashion community as possible.

Teaser images of Lanvin for H&M

Elbaz explained to the press that “what intrigued me was the idea of H&M going luxury rather than Lanvin going public.”

The collection, consisting of asymmetrical dresses in an overindulgence of ruffles and jewelry embellishments, is true to the Lanvin brand. There is a slight lack of sophistication in the styling, which is to be expected since the H&M client is far younger, trendier and hell-bent on a deal. Yet the collection, when incorporated separately into an existing wardrobe, is sure to add much flair and sophistication never seen before.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of stylecaster.com