All about christian lacroix

Christian LaCroix: the name evokes bright colors, luxuriant fabrics, and extravagance. He is the creator of the “poof” skirt and to many, the last great star of Paris fashion. His designs are ostentatious, exuberant, and avant-garde.

Christian LaCroix was born in 1951 in Arles, in the south of France. He grew up loving the theater and dreaming of designing costumes. To this end, he studied art history at The University of Montpelier (France.) After graduating, LaCroix moved to Paris to study 17th century costumes at the Sorbonne. It was there that he met his future wife, Francoise, who shared with him her interest in drawing and fashion design. It was also in Paris that he met Jean-Jacques Picart, a press attache and advisor to several Paris designers. It was with Picart’s help that LaCroix landed his first fashion job, with Hermes.

At Hermes, he collaborated with the couturier of the Japanese Imperial Court. Shortly thereafter, he moved to the couture house, Patou. He rose quickly at Patou, and with Picart, created his first haute couture collection in 1981. His designs were extravagant and boisterous in a time of minimalism. He used bright, sunny, provencal colors and lush velvets and taffetas. The collection was a huge success.

In 1987, Christian LaCroix opened the House of LaCroix on the Rue du Faubourg St Honore with the artistic help of Picart and the financial backing of LVMH (Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton,) owners of the Dior, Givenchy, Celine, and Kenzo labels. It is the latest fashion house to be founded to this day. His first collection drew heavily on his provencal roots with bright yellows, reds, and blues. His study of theater also comes through in his design. This first collection included an embroidered bodice intertwining a cross, heart, and an anchor - representing love, hope, and faith. It was in this collection that he introduced the “poof” or bouffant skirt. This taffeta skirt ballooned like a parachute from the waist ending just above the knees. It was to become a fashion classic.

He followed his haute couture success in 1988 with a ready-to-wear line inspired by the designs of diverse cultures. He added a line of accessories in 1989. “Bazar,” a casual collection based on folklore and historical period designs launched in 1994 and has been very commercially successful.

He rapidly expanded his product line. He introduced his “CL” linen and towel line in 1995, his jeans line in 1996, and a “table arts” line with the french silver maker Christofle in 1997. He added perfume with “C’est La Vie” in 1999 and jewelry - hammered, gilt, metal bracelets and necklaces- in 2000.

The House of LaCroix continues to flourish with 35 outlets in France and almost 1000 outlets worldwide. His latest haute couture collection features short, fitted jackets; white, flowing, gypsy skirts; and lots of fun accessories such as gargantuan, rhinestone broaches. He continues to use his trademark textiles such as toile du jouy, silk, and taffeta. His fashions are seen frequently on the red carpets. Gwyneth Paltrow and Uma Thurman are both fans.

In 2002, Christian LaCroix took up another challenge. He was named artistic director of the Florentine fashion house, Emilio Pucci. In his early 50s, young in the fashion world, Christian LaCroix is likely to have many surprises for us yet.

LaCroix has received many awards for his work. Among them are the De D’or (the Golden Thimble, France’s most prestigious fashion award) in 1986 and again in 1988. In 1987, he was named Most Influential Foreign Designer by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He was awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur (France’s highest award given to a civilian) in 2002 on the 15th anniversary of the House of LaCroix.

LaCroix’s does not limit his efforts to couture. He has designed costumes for the Paris Opera and The Metropolitan Opera, the Comedie Francaise, and recently the coaches for the TGV Med-the new highspeed train between Paris and Nice.