Lanvin

How did it get started?

Jeanne Lanvin was born in 1867. She became an apprentice milliner in Paris at the age of 16, before training as a dressmaker and setting up her own millinery store. As well as hats, Lanvin made blouses, dresses, men's suits and children's clothes.

By the 1920s, she'd opened several stores featuring home decor, menswear, furs and lingerie. In 1924, she started a perfume business, launching her signature fragrance, Arpege, three years later. Over the years, Lanvin made a name with her unique trimmings, embroideries, loose dresses and beaded decorations in clear, light, floral colours. She died in 1946.

After several changes of ownership L'Oreal bought the company in 1996.

Who's behind it now?

In 2001, a group of investors led by Taiwanese media magnate Wang Shaw-lan bought the brand, and hired Israeli designer Alber Elbaz (right) as artistic director. Dutch designer Lucas Ossendrijver oversees menswear.

The look